Aims and objectives
The HTA’s strategic aim is to create a regulatory system for the removal, use and disposal of human tissue and organs that is clear, consistent and proportionate and in which professionals, patients, families and members of the public have confidence.
In support of this aim, our strategic objectives for 2008/09 - 2009/10 are as follows.
Review and refine systems to ensure the donation, removal, retention, use and disposal of human bodies, organs and tissue is legal, ethical and respectful, and conducted in accordance with the wishes of the individual.
The principle of consent is central to the HT Act and the work of the Authority. It runs through all Codes of Practice and is one of the key factors of our licensing framework.
We will continue to develop regulatory arrangements that align with, and support, professional standards and best practice in clinical and other settings.
Ensure that our regulatory system is understood and accepted by those affected by it.
This will be achieved through the delivery of a communications strategy that is comprehensive and clear. The key communications objectives for the HTA will be:
- to continue to raise awareness about the work of the Authority amongst professionals and our public
- to communicate advice and guidance
- to help improve standards by sharing learning
- to identify stakeholders and the best ways of reaching them
Work in partnership with other regulators, public bodies and relevant organisations to avoid over-regulation, provide consistent advice and guidance, and streamline inspections.
The HTA will endorse and subscribe to the Concordat of Health Regulators. We will continue to work with other regulators to avoid duplication and streamline inspection and ensure that the advice and guidance provided by other organisations is consistent with our own. We are committed to implementing best practice in regulation, particularly the recommendations in the reports published by Philip Hampton, the Better Regulation Task Force and the Better Regulation Commission.
We operate as a light-touch regulator by targeting inspections in areas of highest risk, whilst conducting a selection of random inspections each year. This allows us to provide clear, pragmatic and user-friendly advice, which in turn should increase compliance with our standards. These strategies are in line with best practice.
Involve the professionals who work in the establishments to be regulated, as well as the public, in reviewing and enhancing our regulatory system and providing advice and guidance.
We will continue to provide a supportive environment in which the regulated sectors are encouraged to strive for the highest standards of practice and where adverse events, are reported and lessons learnt. We will place emphasis on providing comprehensive advice and guidance to establishments to help them meet the regulatory requirements.
We have consulted widely on our Codes of Practice and regulation standards and will continue to do so. We will continue to assist the regulated sectors by providing a significant amount of information on our website.
We will continue to share learning about the areas we regulate through seminars, workshops, online or face-to-face meetings. For example we will evaluate our inspection reports to summarise the evidence and experience about good practice and areas for improvement, and share these with all stakeholders. We will also continue to feedback advice and guidance to the transplant and anatomy communities who submit online reports and forms.
Create an organisation that delivers on time and in budget whilst keeping costs to a minimum.
The HTA retains a core staff that is focused on delivery of the Authority’s remit. Whenever possible, back-office and other functions will continue to be outsourced. The HTA is committed to achieving value for money in delivering its regulatory remit.
Develop, refine and implement an education and training programme for staff to achieve their full potential and fulfil the HTA’s corporate goals.
We want to demonstrate the HTA’s continuing commitment to staff by delivering an education and training programme that helps and supports staff to deliver the HTA’s demanding and exacting goals as well as developing them more widely.
Our principles and values
The HTA will continue to adopt the following core values in achieving our strategic aims and objectives:
- behaving with integrity
- being open and transparent
- engaging stakeholders
- working collaboratively with stakeholders and other regulators
- being responsive
In striving to be a model, modern regulator the HTA will apply the principles found in the reports by Hampton and the Better Regulation Task Force. These state that a regulatory system should be:
- transparent
- accountable
- proportionate
- consistent
- targeted only at cases in which action is needed