The respectful interment of retained organs and tissue samples

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) has started a public information process to allow relatives a final chance to claim tissues or organs which were retained at post-mortem prior to the year 2000.

Running from 30 June 2009 for six months (until 30 December 2009), the process may be of interest to relatives of children and adults who had a post-mortem examination at QMC or City Hospital mainly between 1978 and 1999.

A helpline has been set up on 0800 9175174 and parents or relatives who believe that their relative’s organs or tissues may have been retained can make an enquiry via this number. This number will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In 2001, a five year national moratorium was imposed by the Department of Health and prohibited the disposal of organs and tissues obtained at post-mortem examination without full knowledge and consent of the relatives. The moratorium provided time for those concerned to make enquiries from relevant organisations about the retention of post-mortem organs or tissue samples.

The moratorium was lifted in July 2006 and organisations are now allowed to begin the process of respectfully disposing of any unclaimed organs and tissue samples according to the Human Tissue Authority’s Code of Practice (2006).

The Trust does not wish to cause further distress to bereaved families, and under the Human Tissue Authority Code of Practice we are not obliged to make people aware that this disposal is taking place. However, it is recommended that we provide information in this way, and we consider that it is right to give families one final opportunity to come forward.

HELPLINE NUMBER – 0800 9175174

Click here for further information.