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The HTA licenses both public and private umbilical cord blood banks in the UK.

This section explains the different types of umbilical cord blood banking.

Umbilical cord blood, commonly referred to as ‘cord blood’, is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following childbirth. Cord blood can be used to treat and cure many life-threatening diseases. Cord blood may be collected at the time of birth and stored, so that it is available for the potential future treatment of the child or another person. 

These guides set out your basic rights when dealing with an establishment regulated by the HTA.

The guides also explain how the use of human tissue is regulated in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. This includes who can give consent for different activities, the information you should receive and options for using and disposing of tissue.

There are eight guides in total, each relating to the Codes of Practice we provide to professionals.

There are a number of different types of living organ donation, some of which involve a donor and recipient coming together either because of a pre-existing relationship or through a third party and others where the donor and recipient(s) are matched by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). The information below provides an overview of the types of living organ donation which you may wish to consider if you are thinking about becoming a living organ donor.

On this page you will find information for potential donors, their recipients recipients and those setting up websites that aim to bring these people together on how the system works in the UK and issues to consider.

Detailed FAQs on how and why we regulate mortuaries where post mortem examinations take place.