HTA response to media interest in human tissue identified following the ACPO audit

Human Tissue Authority statement

Issue date: 13 January 2012

 Alan Clamp, Chief Executive of the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) said:

 “This incident has caused significant distress to Julie Middleton and her family, and our thoughts are with them.

“The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is conducting an audit of human tissue retained under police authority among all UK police forces, to establish the current situation in terms of police holdings.

 “It is important to note that organs or tissues taken or retained under police authority are exempt from the requirements of the Human Tissue Act, which came into force in September 2006 and sets out the legal requirements in relation to tissue retention.

“We have close working links with Coroners, Police and ACPO, who are aware of the requirements of the Human Tissue Act.

“Since September 2006, the HTA has set standards that mortuaries must meet in order to protect the dignity of the deceased and the interests of the bereaved. These include the requirement to have effective systems, procedures and working practices.

“We will continue to help the police where we can and provide advice on tissue retention matters. We will also continue to inspect and work with all our licensed establishments, which may help allay public concerns caused by this incident, and to assure ourselves that establishments are aware of what tissue they hold and that they have valid reasons for retaining this tissue.

“The Human Tissue Authority began regulating in 2006 under the Human Tissue Act by introducing clear rules that govern the removal, storage, use and disposal of human tissue. Since 2007, we have seen a rise in public confidence in human tissue regulation. But we cannot be complacent especially after events that have occurred in the past, such as Alder Hey, and cases such as this.”

ENDS 

Notes to Editors

• The HTA is a watchdog established in 2006 that supports public confidence by licensing organisations that store and use human tissue for purposes such as research, patient treatment, post-mortem examination, teaching, and public exhibitions. We also give approval for organ and bone marrow donations from living people.
• We license and inspect organisations that undertake post-mortem examinations and store human tissue for use for certain purposes such as research or education and training; we operate under the Human Tissue Act 2004. Our remit in this area covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• We have codes of practice on Post-mortem examination, Consent and Disposal of human tissue, which set standards that establishments should meet and the Human Tissue Act 2004 sets out legal requirements relating to consent.

For more information please contact Fiona McKinson, Communication Officer at the Human Tissue Authority on 020 7269 1959 or fiona.mckinson@hta.gov.uk. For out-of-hours media enquiries please call 020 7269 1914.