Mark Pitt

Mark Pitt Consultant Histopathologist Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS

"I am a Designated Individual at the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire, where I am responsible for activities under the HTA licence and in relation to the retention of tissue following a hospital or coroner’s post mortem.

"The communication links between the pathologist, laboratory, coroner and coroner’s officers is vital. This is because the consent provisions of the Human Tissue Act 2004 for storage and use of tissue apply after the coroner’s authority has ended and the fate of the tissue depends on the relatives’ wishes. To make this process work more efficiently, we have nominated staff to officially liaise between the coroner’s office, laboratory and pathologists – one in the laboratory and one in the coroner’s office.

"The HTA’s guidance was consistent with this process and gave it substance; it includes advice that all post mortem establishments put in place a ‘nominated person’, whose job it is to aid communication between those involved. In consultation with coroners, pathologists, mortuary managers and the Ministry of Justice, the HTA developed a model communication flowchart.

"The HTA has recognised that the legal framework is complex and can be challenging and has sought to develop advice and guidance for those who have to implement and work with it."