New rules for the collection of cord blood have triggered a row between the Human Tissue Authority and Virgin Health Bank (VHB), a private company involved in the process.

The authority brought in the rules, which will take effect from July 5, in response to fears that cord blood collection is potentially dangerous.

But VHB said that the authority had been hasty, and that thousands of parents would be denied the opportunity to store cord blood as a result.

Blood collected from the placenta and umbilical cord at birth is a rich source of stem cells. They can be used later in life to treat diseases.

Private companies have sprung up offering to help parents to collect and store the blood. Some send kits directly to parents’ homes, suggesting that fathers may collect cord blood, or persuade midwives to do it. While there is no evidence of anything going wrong, the authority says that in future all maternity units where cord blood is collected must have a licence.

This will ensure that staff are properly trained, that blood is not taken in a way that could put the mother and baby at risk, and that the blood cells collected are clearly traceable.

Adrian McNeil, chief executive of the authority, said: “We have heard that fathers, who of course have no experience in collecting cord blood, may be involved in the procedure. The result is that the best samples may not be collected. It is also important for the midwife to concentrate on the welfare of the mother and child.”

The Royal College of Obstericians and Gynaecologists has issued advice that there should be no alteration in the usual management of labour, and that collection should not be done by obstetricians or midwives, but by a trained third party. Nor should collection be done where it might be risky, such as premature births.

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