THE family of a 14-year-old girl who was sent home from hospital with the baby she had just miscarried are calling for national guidelines laying down how foetal tissue should be handled.

A storm of condemnation followed The Northern Echo's story yesterday of how the teenager from Shildon, County Durham, was handed the 11-week-old foetus in a specimen bottle by accident and emergency staff at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

Her parents, who put the tragic bundle in the family fridge and are considering taking legal action against the hospital, were shocked to learn that there are no national rules preventing hospital staff for making a similar blunder.

The mother said last night: "They should bring in guidelines so that this doesn't happen to anybody else. We are all upset about it."

The Northern Echo knows the identity of the girl but has decided not to name her to save her from further distress.

A Department of Health, spokesman said last night: "Policy on disposal of foetal tissue is a matter for NHS trusts to decide.

"In developing their local policies for disposal, trusts are expected to ensure that the woman or couple are treated with sensitivity and that their needs and wishes are paramount.

"NHS Trusts are expected to advise a woman or couple that information on disposal is available and to discuss these options with them if that is what they wish. Any woman or couple who wish to make their own arrangements for disposal may do so."

The County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals Trust followed up an apology to the girl and her parents by launching an inquiry.

And Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster insisted on meeting the trust's chief executive, John Saxby, and chair, Angela Ballatti, next week.

He said: "It is absolutely unbelievable that it happened. I have been advised by the trust that an investigation is being carried out."