Mancunians sign up to leave their bodies to medical science

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

A list of regional figures released today (Thursday, 19 July) 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.

Launching Delivering Better Regulation, the HTA's second Annual Report and Accounts, 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 the public can be reassured that their wishes are respected, while 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, including The University of Manchester's, say media interest in March highlighted a shortage of bodies for dissection and prompted more potential donors to sign up.

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.

She 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.

"People did cancel donations," she added, "but we haven't been affected by a lack of confidence by the public. It's not a huge problem, and more donors are now coming forward due to increased publicity."

Notes for editors:

The HTA licences Anatomy Schools and provides advice and guidance to professionals and the public about body donation.
A Pdf of the 2007/2008 Annual Report is available on request.

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.

Since September 1, 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 August 31, 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 April 1, 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 March 19, 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. Figures for other medical schools are available from the HTA.

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'.

University of Manchester Medical School

March 2007 - 54 requests; March 2006 - 32 requests

April 2007 - 17 requests; April 2006 - 36 requests

January 2001 to December 2006 - Bequest Forms Sent Out and Returned at Manchester Medical School

Forms out Forms returned

2002 199 108

2003 200 100

2004 217 124

2005 253 129

2006 327 163

The HTA has collected data from the 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.

Members of the public requiring further information can contact:

The University of Manchester Bequeathals Office

Tel: 0161 275 5241

Email: bequeathals@manchester.ac.uk