Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

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Guidance and publications

Guidance and other documents on transplantation services.

Xenotransplantation guidance

Published: 12/12/2006

The United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority ceased to exist from 12 December 2006. This guidance explains the DH policy position on xenotransplantation, describes approval processes and points to appropriate sources of expertise and advice for further information and support.

Saving lives, Valuing donors: A transplant framework for England - One year on

Published: 12/10/2004

This document describes the progress made by the Government and UK Transplant since the launch of the framework document, Saving Lives, Valuing Donors.

Saving lives, valuing donors: A transplant framework for England

Published: 07/07/2003

This document sets out key aims for organ and tissue transplantation over the next 10 years. It describes good practice based on national and international evidence which the Government believes the NHS and society can use together to save lives and maximise the benefits of organ and tissue transplantation.

Organ and Tissue transplantation: A plan for the future

Published: 01/03/2001

This document sets out proposed plans on how to increase organ donation.

Guidance on the microbiological safety of human organs, tissues and cells used in transplantation

Published: 01/08/2000

Transplant surgery is now well established in the NHS and is responsible for saving many lives. However, transplantation carries a risk of transmitting infection from donor to recipient via the transplanted organs, tissues or cells. Contamination can also be acquired from the environment during processing or transportation of organs.

A code of practice for the diagnosis of brain stem death

Published: 27/03/1998

This Code of Practice was prepared by a Working Party established through the Royal College of Physicians on behalf of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges at the request of the Health Departments. The document produced by the Working Party was submitted in draft to the Colleges and faculties of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. Comments received therefrom were used in the preparation of the final document.

The review of the United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority (UKTSSA) 1998/99

Published: 22/02/2000

The Review of the UKTSSA was established to consider whether the need for central support services for transplantation had changed, or whether it would change over the next 5-10 years, given developing technologies and other changes in the National Health Service, and what the future for the UKTSSA should be. The Review also considered the performance of the UKTSSA and its management by the UK Health Departments

An investigation into conditional organ donation

Published: 22/02/2000

This is a report of an investigation into an incident which happened in July 1998 following the admission of a man to an intensive care unit in the North of England unconscious, and in a critical condition.

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