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