The Human Tissue Act (2004) (HT Act) is the legislative framework that governs the storage and use of relevant material from the living, and the removal, storage and use of relevant material from the deceased, for a scheduled purpose. One such scheduled purpose is research in connection with disorders, or the functioning, of the human body. Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust holds a Human Tissue Authority (HTA) research licence covering storage of human ‘relevant material’ taking place in defined locations at Salford Royal Hospital where this is agreed in advance and overseen by the Designated Individual.

Relevant material, is defined by the HT Act, but includes material derived from the human body that contains intact human cells. There are some specific exceptions to this, but whole blood, urine, saliva and solid tissue samples are all considered to be relevant material.

Relevant material collected for research purposes may need to be held under the terms of the HTA research licence, for example, if it forms part of a research tissue bank (such as NCARC).

In some other cases, for example, where material is held in accordance with the terms of an active ethical approval issued by an approved NHS ethics committee, the material may be stored outside of the remit of the licence.

If you have any concerns, or wish to enquire about any aspects relating to the HT Act, or the support offered at Northern Care Alliance, please contact:

• Beverley Greenhalgh (Research and Innovation Compliance Manager), or,
• Rob Oliver (Designated Individual, and Research Lead for Labs & Biobanking)

Further information, including specific guidance relating to the research sector and consent, can be found via the HTA website. This includes information and guidance for both professionals and members of the public.