Disposal Of Placentas At Poole Hospital
Mothers who give birth at Poole Hospital’s maternity unit are given the opportunity to donate their placentas so that products from the placentas may be used for research into diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s disease and HIV/AIDS.
Participation is entirely voluntary and confidential. Mothers are given an information sheet, which explains why the placentas are needed and what happens when they are donated, and they are asked to sign a consent form. This is usually requested during ante natal care. We have been doing this for a number of years.
Placentas not donated for research are incinerated.
Poole Hospital is not paid for placentas given for research. However, we do receive an annual donation from the company concerned which is used to buy equipment for the maternity unit.
It was our understanding that products from placentas donated by mothers at this hospital are used for research in to cancer and other diseases and for no other purpose.
Date: 20 May 2008