Department of Health

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Tissue

Human biological material taken from deceased people can be used beneficially in diagnosis, education, auditing and research. Tissue samples and organs should only be removed with the full informed consent of the next of kin. The Department is currently reviewing policies in this area, following the Government's acceptance of the Chief Medical Officer's recommendations in "The Removal, Retention and Use of Human Organs and Tissue from Post-Mortem Examination" (2001).

Restrictions lifted on disposal of existing holdings of retained organs and tissues

Published: 24/07/2006

Trusts holding post mortem human organs and tissues under existing restrictions should note the publication of the Human Tissue Authority's Code of Practice on the removal, storage and disposal of human organs and tissues, which includes guidance on the disposal of existing holdings.

EU Tissues and Cells Directive

The EU Tissues and Cells Directive sets standards of quality and safety for the donation, procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of human tissue and cells intended for human application. As work on the second Commission Directive is nearing completion we are now in a position to consult on new Regulations that will bring all three Directives into UK law.

New Human Tissue Authority sets dates to start regulating

12 December 2005: The newly established Human Tissue Authority has announced two key dates in 2006 when it will start operating under the Human Tissue Act 2004.The EU Tissues and Cells Directive will be implemented on 7 April 2006, and tissue banks storing tissue and cells for human application will be licensed under the directive from that date. Also in April, the Authority will publish its revised codes of practice guidelines and the licensing framework for all other activities. To allow time for further consultation with professionals and piloting of the framework for regulation, licences for these activities will be granted from 1 September 2006.

Tenth anniversary of the NHS Organ Donor Register

UK Transplant are challenging the nation to add one million 'lifesavers' to the register before September 2005.

General information about organ and tissue removal, retention and use

Guidance, codes of practice and key documents on the clinical, psychological, administrative and legal aspects of removing, retaining and using human organs and tissue.

Tissue and organ retention links

Web pages about organ and tissue retention, consent and other related topics.

Tissue banks providing tissues of human origin for therapeutic purposes

Covers EU Tissues and Cells Directive, the voluntary accreditation scheme and a code of practice for tissue banks.

Additional links

Related Links

The Medical Research Council (MRC)

The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) promotes research into all areas of medical and related science with the aims of improving the health and quality of life of the UK public and contributing to the wealth of the nation.

Saving lives, valuing donors: A transplant framework for England

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.

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