HTA Blog
Welcome to the HTA blog!
Our blog offers a space for new and unique perspectives on key issues relating to our work and the sectors we regulate. It will allow us to:
- Share articles from our staff, Authority Members, and those directly affected by our regulation.
- Get closer and more interactive with those who have an interest in the HTA.
- Offer you a way to share your views with us.
If you are already familiar with blogs then you will be aware that you have the ability to comment on each blog article.
New blogs will be added regularly so make sure to hit the 'Follow the HTA blog' button and sign up to receive a notification every time we add a new one.
All comments made on this blog site are moderated. We look forward to your comments, feedback, and any questions you might have for us.
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17 Oct, 2023
Being an Independent Assessor
I was lucky enough to spend the best part of a decade working for the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) in a variety of roles. However, my favourite role (don’t te...
07 Sep, 2023
Roundtable on the management of the deceased
Shaping the future together I recently chaired a roundtable on the management of the deceased that took place on 19 July 2023. It brought together stakeholder...
12 Jul, 2023
Navigating the Human Tissue Authority Inspection: Insights from a Designated Individual in the South Wales Valleys
I am the Designated Individual for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board within the heart of the South Wales Valleys. During my appointment in 2020 I anti...
26 May, 2023
The role of inspections
Nicolette Harrison, Director of Regulations, talks about the role inspections play in a risk-based, proportionate, data-driven, modern regulator.
05 May, 2023
An update on our stakeholder forums for Anatomy, Human Application and ODT
Last month we held three more sector focused forums. Meeting together in this way has many benefits, as some of the things we talked about can illustrate....
08 Mar, 2023
"This is why I do what I do"
Last year we carried out an unannounced inspection of an establishment which resulted in a number of shortfalls against the HTA’s licensing standards, some of...
27 Feb, 2023
Introducing our sector-focused stakeholder forums
On 6 February we held our first sector-focused stakeholder forum, and I was delighted to welcome leaders from the Post Mortem sector. The new forum represents...
14 Feb, 2023
Regulations, Regulators and Regulatory Principles.
Andy is Honorary Fellow at the Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford; a Member of the Regulatory Horizons Council; and...
20 Dec, 2022
Meet an Independent Assessor - Paul Cousins
Meet an Independent Assessor
Hi, I’m Paul and I have been an Independent Assessor for just over three years. I’m a Performances and Operations Manager for...
21 Nov, 2022
HTA and devolved administrations - working together
Last week we kicked off our new programme of stakeholder events by hosting a roundtable with devolved administrations. I was delighted to welcome colleagues f...
17 Oct, 2022
Body Donation Blog by Professor Claire Smith (Brighton & Sussex Medical School) and Dr Tom Farsides (School of Psychology, University of Sussex)
How much do we know about body donors' beliefs and preferences?
In the UK we need around 1,300 body donors per year for the education of medical stude...
23 Jun, 2022
Public Service Day 2022
Christopher Birkett, Head of Regulation – Research and Anatomy at HTA, talks about what public service means to him and why it still matters.
05 Jan, 2022
Innovation in the round – the HTA’s cells and tissues partner discussion
In our last blog, the HTA outlined how we and our stakeholders have a clear role to play in achieving the governments’ Life Sciences Vision, together deliveri...
20 Sep, 2021
Innovation in regulation – the start of a critical conversation
Earlier this year the Minister for Innovation laid out a challenge to health regulators, the Professional Standards Authority, NICE and NHSX during an unprece...
30 Dec, 2020
Social media guidelines for anatomists – how they came about and how they link to the HTA
I think the vast majority of people would agree with me that social media has become a huge part of how we communicate and keep informed, be that sharing a ph...