WIREDGOV

Since 1991 patients have benefitted from the HFEA’s regulation of assisted reproduction in the UK. Our system has been copied widely in other countries.

The publication today of the Department of Health’s review of the Arm’s Length Bodies in the NHS sets out the Government’s intention, during the course of this Parliament, to retain the statutory functions of the HFEA and to transfer them to other health bodies, in particular the Care Quality Commission, the large health regulator.

The Chair of the HFEA, Lisa Jardine said:

"IVF needs to be effectively regulated and the current system has served the public, patients and licensed centres well. Our task now is to deliver the organisational change that the Government has decided on and to ensure the continuity of the very high standard of regulation that the sector deserves and expects. I am determined that the success story that is regulated assisted reproduction in the UK will continue."

ENDS

Notes to editors

The HFEA is the independent regulator for IVF treatment and embryo research. Our role is to protect patients and the public interest, to drive improvement in the treatment and research sectors and to provide information to the public and policymakers about treatment and research.

The HFEA was set up in August 1991 as part of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA’s principal tasks are to license and monitor clinics that carry out in vitro fertilisation (IVF), artificial insemination (AI) and human embryo research. The HFEA also regulates the storage of gametes (eggs and sperm) and embryos.

Contact the HFEA press office at press.office@hfea.gov.uk or 020 7291 8226

Contacts:

HFEA Press Office
Phone: 020 7291 8226
press.office@hfea.gov.uk

Zalife Ahmet
Phone: 020 7291 8221
zalife.ahmet@hfea.gov.uk