HTA publishes final response to the Government’s consultation on its future

For immediate release

Issue date: 28 September 2012

The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) today (28 September) published its final response to the Department of Health’s consultation on the proposed transfer of functions from the HTA to other organisations.

Of the three options presented in the consultation, the HTA supports option three – that the HTA retain its functions but delivers further efficiencies. This option will ensure the continued effective and efficient regulation of human tissue and organs without the risks associated with options one and two.

Baroness Diana Warwick, Chair of the HTA said:

“The HTA was established in 2005 to improve public confidence in the regulation of human tissue and organs following several cases of misuse and retention. Since our creation, we have established ourselves as an effective and successful regulator and the reasons why we were set up still remain.

“We welcome the chance to contribute to the consultation on our future and have made clear that the option to retain the HTA and deliver further efficiencies offers the greatest assurance to the public that tissue and organs will be stored and used safely, ethically, and only with proper consent.

“We have worked hard to create a supportive, proportionate and flexible regulatory approach with specialist staff and a Board who have a strong commitment to their area of expertise. It would be a disaster if this was lost and public confidence was eroded.

“We remain committed to making savings, and to making improvements to the way we work. We have already made savings of 27% in the last two years and further efficiencies are planned. We have also worked hand in hand with those we regulate to reduce the burden on establishments, whilst still providing protection and confidence for the public.”

Notes

• On 28 June 2012 the Department of Health launched a public consultation on proposals to transfer functions from the HTA to other organisations. The consultation ended today (28 September).
• The consultation document gives three options on the future of the HTA’s functions. These are:
  • Option 1: Transfer all HTA functions to Care Quality Commission and abolish the HTA.
  • Option 2: Transfer all HTA functions to CQC with the exception of a limited number of functions that would transfer elsewhere; and abolish the HTA.
  • Option 3, HTA retains its functions but delivers further efficiencies.
• The HTA’s full response can be found on the HTA website
• The HTA was established on 1 April 2005 under the Human Tissue Act 2004 which extends to England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The HTA is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body (ENDPB) sponsored by the Department of Health. With the interests of both the public and those we regulate at the centre of our work, our overall strategic goal is to maintain and build confidence in the removal, storage and use of human tissue by ensuring that these activities are undertaken safely and ethically, and with proper consent. 

Media contact

Jo deBank: Jo.deBank@hta.org.uk or 020 7269 1912. Out of hours number: 020 7269 1914