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Due to significant concerns, the licence of a fertility clinic in London has been suspended.
The Homerton Fertility Centre has been prohibited from commencing any fresh procedures by the fertility regulator during an ongoing investigation.
Unfortunately, the clinic, located in close proximity to Hackney, has had three distinct occurrences within the last year where a few freezing procedures resulted in errors. These errors were observed during the treatment of patients from both NHS and private sectors.
These mistakes resulted in some embryos becoming untraceable or not surviving when thawed from the preservation liquid.
On Friday, Louise Ashley, the CEO of Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, issued a letter to patients apologizing for any inconvenience caused and expressing concern. She also mentioned that those who were not directly affected should still be aware of the situation.
I believed it was important to quickly inform you of all developments. We have been and continue to work closely with the fertility regulator and are keeping them well-informed about the situation.
“The suspension includes plans for existing patients to finish their treatment and for all stored eggs, embryos, and sperm to remain at the clinic.”
The individuals impacted by this have been notified and the clinic’s license has been temporarily revoked until May. However, those who have already begun treatment can still proceed.
If you have been impacted by this occurrence, please reach out to [email protected].
A patient shared with BBC that she felt “completely devastated” upon being informed that one of her embryos could not be located.
The clinic has implemented a policy where all staff members work in pairs to ensure that two healthcare professionals are responsible for checking all clinical activities. Additionally, the competencies of all staff members within the unit have been verified. Security measures and access points within the clinic have also been enhanced.
Peter Thompson, the head of HFEA (Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority), informed The Independent that the clinic’s license to operate has been suspended due to serious concerns.
The HFEA Licence Committee has decided to suspend the clinic’s licence immediately due to the potential risks it poses to patients, gametes, and embryos.
This may cause worry for patients who are currently receiving care at the clinic or have reproductive materials stored there. We don’t want to interrupt their treatment, so we have made arrangements for them to finish it if they choose to do so.
The healthcare facility must continue to safely store eggs, sperm, and embryos. A list of all licensed clinics approved by HFEA can be found here, and they can provide further guidance to patients who wish to transport their eggs, sperm, or embryos.
The Homerton Fertility Clinic was visited by the Metropolitan Police on Friday, but there is currently no ongoing investigation.
/health/2020-…
The following information is taken from independent.co.uk/health/2020…