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Donating a body for medical education, training or research

  • Last modified date:
    6 February 2008

New arrangements are in place, following the Human Tissue Act 2004, to provide information and help for people who wish to donate their body for medical education, training or research, and for bereaved relatives whose loved one expressed such a wish before they died.

After 1 September 2006, information can be obtained from the following sources:

For England and Wales:

  • The Human Tissue Authority
    Finlaison House
    15-17 Furnival Street
    London EC4A 1AB
    Tel: 020 7211 3400

For Scotland, contact your nearest medical school:

  • Aberdeen
    Department of Anatomy
    Tel: 01224 274 320/01224 272 000
  • Dundee
    Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Dundee  
    Tel: 01382 344 206
  • Edinburgh
    Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh
    Tel:  0131 650 2997/0131 650 8318
  • Glasgow
    The Anatomy Department, University of Glasgow
    Tel: 0141 330 4296/0141 339 8855
  • St Andrews
    Department of Anatomy, University of St Andrews
    Tel: 01334 463 601

For Northern Ireland, write to:

  • The Department of Anatomy,
    Queen’s University, Belfast,
    Medical Biology Centre,
    97 Lisburn Road,
    Belfast BT9 7BL.
    Tel: 028 9097 2131.

What do I do if I want to donate my body after I die?

If you wish to donate your body for medical education training or research, you should make your wishes known (in writing and witnessed) before you die and inform your next of kin (and the executor of your will if this is not the same person). 

Consent forms for this purpose can be obtained from your local medical school : details are available on the HTA website or by calling the HTA on 020 7211 3400).  If you complete one of these, you will need to ensure it is lodged with any will you may have made and/or with your local Medical School.

What do I do if I find out that my late relative had expressed a wish to donate their body?

You should contact the Medical School as soon as possible after the person’s death (details are available on the HTA website or by calling the HTA on 0207 211 3400). The Medical School will be able to provide advice and information on their procedures for accepting a donation.  Unfortunately not all donations can be accepted (for example if a post-mortem examination is carried out) – the medical school will be able to advise you and answer any questions you may have.

Who will ensure Anatomy Schools are complying with the new Human Tissue Act?

The Human Tissue Authority will take on the role of inspections formerly carried out by HM Inspector of Anatomy.  The HTA has issued a Code of Practice on Anatomical Examination which is available on the HTA website .

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