Scottish Donation and Transplant Group written update: April 2024

Human Tissue Authority (HTA)

Update given by:

• Jessica Porter, Head of Regulation, Human Tissue Authority 

The Human Tissue Act 2004 (Supply of Information about Transplants) Regulations 2024

On 01 April 2024, the “Supply of Information about Transplants Regulations 2024” came into force in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

The Regulations were introduced by government under section 34 of the Human Tissue Act 2004. They require relevant clinicians in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who work closely with patients that need, or have received, an organ transplant to report the following information to the Human Tissue Authority (HTA):

“If they have a reasonable suspicion that an organ donation and transplantation related offence may have been committed under the Human Tissue Act or Modern Slavery legislation, or if they are made aware that a patient has received an organ transplant outside the UK.” 

Failing to report under the Regulations is an offence, and clinicians risk criminal charges amounting to a fine for failing to report, or an unlimited fine for providing false or misleading information.

The Regulations do not apply in Scotland. 

Living Ddnation

For the period 1 January to 31 March 2024, the HTA have assessed twenty-one living organ donation cases where the transplant was due to take place in Scotland.

Three of these cases were for donors and recipients taking part in the National Kidney Sharing Scheme.