Working Together to Safeguard Public Trust: CQC and HTA Renew Memorandum of Understanding

In a significant step to strengthen collaboration and uphold the highest standards in patient safety, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) have officially updated their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The revised agreement, formalised in April 2025, sets out how both regulators will continue to share information, co-operate effectively, and provide clarity on their respective responsibilities.

A Shared Commitment to Quality and Safety

The updated MoU provides a clear and structured framework that outlines how CQC and HTA will work together to regulate and monitor services, ensuring public trust and safety remain central to their missions. While both bodies operate in distinct areas, there are occasions when their work overlaps – particularly in matters relating to end of life care, tissue use, and bereavement support.

What Does the MoU Cover?

The MoU serves as a reference point for staff in both organisations, helping them:

• Understand which organisation is responsible for what

• Share relevant information safely and legally

• Provide a consistent and co-ordinated approach to inspections and regulatory actions

It reflects a joint approach where both bodies can work efficiently without duplicating efforts – a vital step forward in the ever-evolving health and care landscape.

CQC’s Focus: Compassionate End of Life Care

CQC continues to play a vital role in assessing how NHS and independent hospitals provide specialist palliative care and bereavement support to patients and their families. This includes reviewing arrangements like:

• Cold storage where used as part of care (e.g., cold cots for bereaved parents in care settings)

• Mortuary viewing areas, ensuring dignity and respect

• Services’ preparedness for major disasters

• Cultural and faith-sensitive support during bereavement

Importantly, while CQC does not inspect mortuaries or body stores, it does consider certain aspects of bereavement care where these relate directly to regulated activity.

HTA’s Role: Regulating Human Tissue Use

The Human Tissue Authority is responsible for regulating how human bodies and tissue are used ethically and safely across six main areas:

1. Anatomical examination, teaching and training

2. Post-mortem examinations and retention/disposal of tissue

3. Public displays involving human remains

4. Organ and tissue donation, retrieval and transplantation

5. Human tissue in research

6. Tissue and cell use in medical treatments

HTA ensures that all activity is conducted with dignity, respect, and the full consent of individuals or their families, in accordance with the Human Tissue Act 2004.

Voices from the Top

Dr Colin Sullivan, Chief Executive of HTA:

“Patient safety and maintaining public trust and confidence is at the heart of our renewed memorandum of understanding with CQC. We will continue to work closely together and share information to achieve these aims. I’m delighted to make this joint commitment, in collaboration with CQC’s Chief Executive Officer, Sir Julian Hartley.”

Sir Julian Hartley, Chief Executive of CQC:

“CQC and the HTA have a shared commitment to promote patient safety and high-quality care. Close co-operation by sharing information relating to healthcare providers that are regulated by both organisations is essential in supporting that. We have updated our existing memorandum of understanding to provide greater clarity on our respective roles and ensure we maintain a consistent and co-ordinated approach where our work intersects.”

As health and care services grow more complex, such collaborations between regulators are key to building safer systems and ensuring high standards across the board. The renewed MoU between CQC and HTA is more than just a formal agreement – it’s a reaffirmation of their joint responsibility to protect patients, the public, and the dignity of those who have died.