Organ donation and transplantation

The Human Tissue Authority regulates organ donation and transplantation. Organ transplantation is the only treatment for end stage organ failure and the most cost effective treatment for renal failure. The use of organs requires that their quality and safety should minimise any risks with transmission of disease. Additionally, mechanisms to facilitate the exchange of available organs to ensure that these reach a suitable recipient should be in place.

Our standards are based on the Framework document produced following consultation with professionals already working in the field of organ donation and transplantation and cover both procurement (characterisation of donor, characterisation, retrieval, preservation and transport of an organ) and transplantation (organ characterisation, preservation, transport and implantation).