NHS fertility centre’s licence suspended after ‘errors’ led to lack of embryos | EUROtoday

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A fertility clinic in London has had its licence to function suspended instantly attributable to “significant concerns”.

The fertility regulator has prevented Homerton Fertility Centre from beginning any new procedures whereas an investigation is carried out.

The clinic, based mostly close to Hackney, discovered three separate incidents over the previous yr which have seen errors in a small variety of freezing processes.

These errors led to some embryos turning into undetectable – unable to be discovered within the liquid that they had been frozen in – or not surviving.

In a letter to sufferers on Friday, the clinic’s chief govt Louise Ashley stated: “I would like to apologise to those affected and for the concern this may cause you even if you, your eggs, embryos or sperm are unaffected.

“I felt, however, that it was essential to keep you fully updated as soon as possible. We have and continue to be working alongside the fertility regulator and are keeping them fully appraised of the situation.

“They have made provisions within the suspension for all current patients who are undergoing treatment to complete their treatment and for all eggs, embryos and sperm to continue to be stored in the clinic.”

The affected sufferers have already been knowledgeable and the clinic’s licence has been suspended till May. People who’ve began therapy cycles can nevertheless proceed.

If you’ve got been affected by this incident, contact lydia.patrick@unbiased.co.uk

One affected person instructed the BBC she was “devastated” after she was instructed one in all her embryos couldn’t be discovered.

The clinic stated all its workers now work in pairs to make sure two healthcare professionals examine all scientific actions, and the competencies of all workers inside the unit have been checked. Security and entry factors within the clinic have additionally been elevated.

Peter Thompson, the chief govt of the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA), instructed The Independent: “The HFEA has suspended Homerton Fertility Centre’s licence to operate with immediate effect, due to significant concerns about the clinic.

“The HFEA Licence Committee made this decision because of the potential risk to patients, gametes and embryos if the clinic’s licence is not suspended with immediate effect.

“We appreciate this may cause concern to patients who are undergoing treatment at the clinic, or have eggs, sperm and/or embryos stored there. We do not want to disrupt patients’ treatment if they have already started medication as part of a treatment cycle, so we have made provisions to allow them to complete their treatment if they wish to do so.

“The clinic must continue to store eggs, sperm, and embryos safely. All HFEA licensed clinics can be found here and they will be able to advise patients further on transporting their eggs, sperm or embryos if they would like to do so.”

The Metropolitan Police confirmed it attended Homerton Fertility Clinic on Friday however there’s presently no investigation going down.