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Written question asked by David Davis (Conservative) on Friday, 17 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 April 2026 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Friday, 24 April 2026. A substantive answer was provided by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Friday, 24 April 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Miscarriage: Foetal Tissue

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with NHS leaders regarding the mandatory training required for staff involved in the handling of miscarriage tissue.

Answer

The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) has no plans to establish a single national protocol governing the handling or testing of miscarriage tissue, nor to establish a single national protocol for the communication of information regarding miscarriage tissue for parents beyond the current guidance.

However, the HTA guidance on the sensitive handling of pregnancy remains was updated following a recommendation of the Pregnancy Loss Review. It applies to any health service or organisation involved in managing pregnancy loss or termination of pregnancy, and should be used to inform policies and procedures governing the disposal of pregnancy remains resulting from pregnancy loss or termination of pregnancy. The HTA guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.hta.gov.uk/guidance-professionals/guidance-sector/post-mortem/guidance-disposal-pregnancy-remains-following

It includes information on developing a disposal policy, communicating information, staff training, and disposal options, including maintaining records of how and when the pregnancy remains were disposed of.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
128032
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Foetal tissue Training Miscarriage
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk