ABSTRACT
There are a few academics whose work defines a discipline and whose influence echoes through the decades. There are a few academics who go outside the doors of the academy and truly have a real and lasting impact upon law in practice and policy making. There are a few academics who kindly support and continuously and selflessly nurture students and colleagues throughout their careers. There are a few academics who are brilliant lecturers, illuminating the lecture hall with crystal clarity. And there are very, very few academics who could ever be said to fall into all four of these categories. Professor Margaret Brazier is one of those very, very few. Her brilliance, clarity and kindness have enriched colleagues, students and the broader academy over the last four decades. This chapter only looks at one aspect of Brazier’s impact on health policy through her role as chair of the Retained Organs Commission (Commission), a demanding role which spanned some three challenging years from 2001 to 2004, but which left a legacy through the reform of the law in the area and by changing attitudes in practice. This chapter examines the backdrop to the Commission’s establishment. It explores its role and some of the operational challenges it faced, together with its impact on subsequent law reform. Finally, it considers its legacy and the lessons learned. The paper draws also upon interviews with the following members of the Commission: Brazier, Professor Alastair Campbell (Campbell) 1 and Mr Hugh Whittall (Whittall). 2 The author gratefully acknowledges their generosity in giving time to enable the interviews to take place.
