Human Tissue Authority Donation - any con's?

bingo_bango

I have decided that I want to donate my body to a local teaching hospital once I kick the bucket (hopefully not for a few decades yet!).

I have made my family aware of my wishes and while there have been a few raised eyebrows, everyone seems to be comfortable with the fact that it is my body to do with as I wish.

I'm just wondering if anyone else has had any experience of doing this? I will be contacting the school shortly to get the necessary paperwork completed but was wondering if there are any hoops I need to jump through first.

madbadrob

http://www.hta.gov.uk/bodyorganandtissuedonation/howtodonateyourbody.cfm

May be of help to you

Rob

jackieblack

I know a few people who've wanted this. Unfortunately, for various different reasons, none of them ever ended up having their body used in this way, leaving family members having to make alternative arrangements with no guidance from the deceased of what they would have wanted.

May be a good idea to have a 'plan B' in case 'Plan A' doesn't work out?

thorsoak

If you do this, and your donation is accepted by the local medical school, please ensure that your wish is clearly noted down - along with contact details of the accepting medical school. Also this information should be placed with your medical notes, and be known to your next of kin.

An elderly client of the firm I worked for had made such arrangements and had left clear instructions in her will - but she had gone into a nursing home and this information had not gone with her. She died over a weekend, and the nursing home contacted the solicitors firm on the Monday, but sadly her body had already been collected by the local undertaker, and by the time the medical facility was informed, it was too late for her wishes to be carried out.

uknick

My body is to be dealt with as you are thinking.

Before I completed the forms, I spoke to my local HTA and found them to be most helpful with regard to how best facilitate the process. They also clarified when a body could not be accepted by them; there were more reasons than I'd imagined.

As a result of talking to them, my will clearly states what I want. I also informed all relevant parties of my wishes. And, just to ensure no confusion the HPA form is attached to my will. Finally, as suggested I put a plan B in my will, i.e. if my body is not suitable for the HTA.

bingo_bango

Thanks all. I am well aware of the need for a plan B, and have taken that into account. As stated earlier, I have also made family aware of my wishes, so no worries on that score either. Well up to date on both the HTA guidance and my local school's acceptance criteria, so I hope that I've covered all of the necessary aspects I need to consider.

It was just a bit of input from others who have dealt with this to see what hurdles I would possibly have to face.

Thanks to everyone for their input!