People sign up to leave their bodies to medical science

Medical schools report more enquiries from potential donors as HTA publishes second Annual Report.

Issue date: 19 July 2007

More people are signing up to leave their bodies to medical science thanks to media coverage and growing public confidence.

A “snapshot” of regional figures released today (19 July 2007) by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) shows that publicity is prompting people to bequeath their bodies to help train tomorrow’s medical students.

Whilst the number of students on courses involving anatomical dissection has increased dramatically over the past decade, the number of donors in the UK has stayed relatively constant (see additional notes below).

Launching Delivering Better Regulation, the HTA’s second Annual Report and Accounts today, chair Shirley Harrison said awareness underpins the system of whole body donation.

“We hope that the confidence of the public and professionals is increasing in matters relating to human tissue. Under the Human Tissue Act potential donors can be reassured that their wishes are respected, whilst professionals benefit from the clear systems that the HTA has put in place.”

Adrian McNeil, Chief Executive of the HTA, added, “The theme of our Annual Report is achieving better regulation. We licence anatomy schools, and provide advice and guidance so that high standards are maintained across these and all the other sectors we regulate.”

Medical schools across the UK say media interest[1] in March highlighted a shortage of bodies for dissection and prompted more potential donors to sign up (See regional medical school figures below).

Consent is the key to the system of bequeathal. Anyone who wishes to give their body to medical science must sign a declaration that is signed in the presence of at least one witness under the Human Tissue Act 2004.

Louise Evans, who coordinates donations at the London Anatomy Office, says the element of consent is vital.

Speaking in the HTA’s Annual Report, Louise said, “Donors often want to give something back to society. Now, under the Human Tissue Act, they can give with confidence. They’re giving a great gift to everybody; not just to future surgeons and medical students, but to the whole of society. Increased publicity tends to prompt more people to sign up.”

Dr Ceri Davies, HTA member and Anatomist at St George’s University of London, added, “It is essential that people continue to donate their bodies to medical science. Over the past decade, the number of medical students has increased by more than 60 per cent. Bodies are needed not just by medical students: they are also used to teach associated disciplines like dentistry, physiotherapy, and nursing.”

Additional notes

The HTA licences Anatomy Schools and provides advice and guidance to professionals and the public about body donation.

Figures for whole body donation in England and Wales: 617 bequests in 2001; 596 bequests in 2002; 670 bequests in 2003; 587 bequests in 2004; 674 bequests in 2005. 

Notes to Editors

• Since 1 September 2006 the HTA has been the regulatory body for all matters concerning the removal, storage, use and disposal of human tissue. The post of Her Majesty’s Inspector of Anatomy ceased on 31 August 2006. The HTA’s role covers the donation of bodies for medical education, training and research.
  
• The Human Tissue Act permits, with consent, the donation of whole bodies for anatomical examination. It also allows for the storage and anatomical examination of a body, provided that it is carried out by or under the direction of a Designated Individual, within licensed premises, with consent, and providing that the death has been properly certified and registered.
  
• The Code of Practice on anatomical examination sets out the requirements which must be met in order to obtain a licence to carry out an anatomical examination or to store anatomical specimens. It is subject to and may be supplemented by, further conditions attached to any licence issued by the HTA.
  
• The HTA was established on 1 April 2005 to regulate the removal, storage, use and disposal of human bodies, organs and tissue for a number of ‘Scheduled Purposes’ – such as research, transplantation, and education and training – set out in the Human Tissue Act 2004 (HT Act).

Regional figures

Regional figures for Bequeathal Inquiries at Medical Schools in England and Wales collected by the HTA March/ April 2007 following publication of newspaper reports on 19 March 2007.

NOTE: each medical school collates its data individually. The figures were provided by each medical school and were not provided on a comparative basis.

People wishing to leave their bodies to medical science must request an information pack and consent form from their local medical school. The completed and witnessed form should be kept with any Will made. A copy of it should be sent to your local medical school. This translates into a firm “bequest”.

Keele University

Jan – Feb 2007: 26 requests for information translated into 12 bequests

Mar – April 2007: 58 requests translated into 21 bequests

Media contact: Hannah Hiles h.e.hiles@kfm.keele.ac.uk 01782 583857.

University of Leicester

March-April 2006 42 requests

March-April 2007 60 requests

Media contact: Press Office pressoffice@le.ac.uk 01162 523335

University of Liverpool Medical School

12-16 March 2007, eight requests, translated into two bequests

19-23 March 2007, 41 requests translated into 18 bequests

19 March – 30 April 108 requests translated into 32 bequests

Media contact: Press Office

University of Manchester Medical School

March 2007 – 54 requests; March 2006 – 32 requests

April 2007 – 17 requests; April 2006 – 36 requests

Media contact: Press Office

Newcastle University Medical School

19 March 2007 – 27 April 2007 – 58 requests for bequest information packs

19 March 2006 – 27 April 2006 – 22 requests for bequest information packs

Media contact: Press Office press.office@ncl.ac.uk 01912 227850.

University of Nottingham Medical School

Bequest information packs sent out in the fortnight commencing 19 April 2007 = 29

Bequest information packs sent out in the fortnight commencing 20 April 2006 = 14

Bequests received fortnight commencing 16 April 2007 = 17

Bequests received fortnight commencing 17 April 2006 = 2

Media contact: Press Office

University of Southampton Medical School

Bequest information packs sent out: February 2007: 39

Bequest information packs sent out: March 2007: 49

Bequest information packs sent out April 2007: 57

Media contact: Press Office

National List of Medical Schools in England and Wales

University of Birmingham; Brighton and Sussex; University of Bristol; University of Cambridge; Cardiff University; Hull York Medical School; Keele University; University of Leeds; Leicester University; University of Liverpool; Imperial College London; Kings College London; Queen Mary University of London; St George's University of London; University College London; University of Manchester; Newcastle University; University of Nottingham; University of Oxford; Royal College of Surgeons of England; University of Sheffield; University of Southampton.  

1 “Trust Me, I’m a Junior Doctor”; Daily Telegraph, 19 March 2007. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?xml=/health/2007/03/19/hjunior119.xml

For further details, or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Heath Jeffries, Head of Media
Tel 020 7211 3400 (general) 020 7211 3439 (direct)
Mobile 07917 551741
Email heath.jeffries@hta.gov.uk