DOCSLIB.ORG

Tuesday, 21 April 2020 HFEA Teleconference Meeting • Members

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tuesday, 21 April 2020 HFEA Teleconference Meeting • Members Tuesday, 21 April 2020 HFEA Teleconference Meeting Panel members Richard Sydee (Chair) Director of Finance and Resources Kathleen Sarsfield Watson Communications Manager Niamh Marren Regulatory Policy Manager Members of the Executive Bernice Ash Secretary External adviser Observers Catherine Burwood Licensing Manager • Members of the panel declared that they had no conflicts of interest in relation to this item. • 9th edition of the HFEA Code of Practice. • Standard licensing and approvals pack for committee members. The panel considered the papers, which included a completed application form, inspection report and licensing minutes for the last three years. The panel noted that Bourn Hall Clinic Wickford has been licensed by the HFEA since July 2018, for the standard period of two years for new licences. The centre provides a full range of fertility services. Other licensed activities of the centre include storage of gametes and embryos. The panel noted that Bourn Hall Clinic Wickford is part of a group that incorporates three other HFEA licensed centres: Bourn Hall Clinic (centre 0100), Bourn Hall Clinic Colchester (centre 0188), Bourn Hall Clinic Norwich (centre 0325). All clinics are centrally managed and have common practices and procedures, in particular their quality management system (QMS). The panel noted that the centre was last inspected in May 2019, shortly after the inspection of sister clinic, centre 0188, during which a number of anomalies in consent to legal parenthood were identified. This is discussed in detail in the renewal inspection report for centre 0188. As a result, the executive held a management review meeting, in accordance with the HFEA’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy. The management review meeting found that the issues identified on inspection were significant and posed direct and indirect risks to patients. In view of these concerns the Person Responsible (PR) of centres 0188 and 0363 agreed to a voluntary cessation of the provision of treatments with donor sperm and embryos created with donor sperm, including surrogacy, at both centres. The voluntary cessation of these treatments was lifted in August 2019. The panel noted that the HFEA has undertaken licence renewal inspections of all four centres within the Bourn Hall group over the last 15 months; centre 0325 in November 2018, centre 0188 in May 2019 and centre 0100 in September 2019. In addition, a targeted interim inspection was conducted at centre 0325 in January 2020. Progress with implementing recommended actions following those inspections has been reviewed at each subsequent inspection of a centre in the group. The report of the interim inspection of centre 0325 and an update on progress with implementing recommendations following the renewal inspection of centre 0100 in September 2019 would also be considered at this meeting. The panel noted that, in the 12 months to 31 January 2020, the centre provided 136 cycles of treatment (excluding partner intrauterine inseminations). In relation to activity this a small sized centre. The panel noted that, HFEA held register data, for the year ending 30 November 2019 show the centre’s success rates are in line with national averages. The panel noted that, in 2019, the centre reported 3 cycles of partner insemination, with no clinical pregnancies. This represents a clinical pregnancy rate which is comparable to the national average. The panel noted that, HFEA register data, for the year ending 30 November 2019 show the centre’s multiple pregnancy rate for all IVF, ICSI and FET cycles for all age groups was 17%. This represents performance that is not likely to be statistically different to the 10% multiple live birth rate target. An inspection was carried out at the centre on the 25 and 26 February 2020. The panel noted that at the time of the inspection, there were two major areas of non-compliance concerning the QMS and obligations and reporting requirements. There were also nine ‘other’ non-compliances relating to donor screening, safety and suitability of premises, medicines management, equipment, patient feedback, confidentiality and privacy, consent to disclosure to researchers, screening of patients and record keeping. Since the inspection, the PR has given a commitment to fully implement all of the recommendations made in the report and to provide further information or audits of practice where applicable. The executive noted that, since the time of the recent inspections of the other centres in the group, the PRs of the Bourn Hall centres have implemented a number of changes and improvements to practices. These have included a comprehensive programme of training in consent requirements (including consent to legal parenthood) provided by external specialist lawyers, and the implementation of new competency assessments and checking processes in this area of practice. The effectiveness of these changes, in particular those related to consent processes, were assessed during this inspection and no significant failings were noted. The executive is re-assured that no critical non-compliances were noted during this inspection, noting that the changes made are well embedded in the centre’s practices. The panel noted that the executive remains concerned that the group’s QMS is not used to its best effect to monitor and improve the service provided, as set out in the body of the report. The PRs of the Bourn Hall group centres should ensure that effective actions are taken to address this failing which continues to be noted during inspections across all centres in the group. The panel noted that the centre is reasonably well led and provides a good level of patient support. The panel noted that, in March 2020, the PRs of the Bourn Hall group centres suspended fertility treatments across all their clinics in accordance with HFEA requirements and professional body guidance issued in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In view of this, the centre’s inspector will liaise with the PR to consider an appropriate timescale for fully implementing all of this report’s recommendations, taking into account the period of time where treatments are suspended as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The panel noted that the inspection team recommends the renewal of the centre’s treatment and storage licence for a period of four years without additional conditions, subject to the recommendations made in this report being implemented in a timely manner. The panel noted that the centre has been issued with an Importing Tissue Establishment (ITE) import certificate by the HFEA, pursuant to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Amendment) Regulations 2018. Such certificates are generally synchronised to the centre’s HFEA licence. The inspection team therefore recommends the renewal of the centre’s ITE import certificate in line with the centre’s licence. The panel had regard to its decision tree. It was satisfied that the appropriate application and fee had been submitted and that the application contained the supporting information required by General Directions 0008. The panel noted that the premises to be licensed are suitable for the conduct of the licensed activities. The panel was satisfied that the qualifications and character of the PR are such as is required for the supervision of licensed activities and the PR will discharge her duty under section 17 of the HFE Act 1990 (as amended). The panel endorsed the inspectorate’s recommendation to renew the centre’s treatment and storage licence for a period of four years, without additional conditions, subject to the recommendations made in this report being implemented within a satisfactory timescale. The panel agreed that if no representations or any other information is received within 28 days, the final renewal licence should be issued. The panel endorsed the inspectorate’s recommendation to renew the centre’s ITE certificate in line with the centre’s licence. I confirm this is a true and accurate record of the meeting. Signature Name Richard Sydee Date 29 April 2020 Inspection Report Purpose of the Inspection Report This is a report of an inspection, carried out to assess whether this centre complies with essential requirements in providing safe and high quality care to patients and donors. The inspection was scheduled (rather than unannounced) and the report provides information on the centre’s application for a renewal of its existing licence. Licences are usually granted for a period of four years. The Authority’s Executive Licensing Panel (ELP) uses the application and this report to decide whether to grant a new licence and, if so, whether any additional conditions should be applied to the licence. Date of inspection: 25 and 26 February 2020. Purpose of inspection: Renewal of a licence to carry out Treatment and Storage. Inspection details: The report covers the performance of the centre since the last inspection, findings from the inspection visit and communications received from the centre. Inspectors: Karen Conyers (lead), Polly Todd, Mhairi West, Chris Hall, Zakia Ezzouyar, Victoria Brown (HFEA observer), Bernadette O’Leary (HFEA observer) and Sabah Iqbal (National Audit Office observer). Date of Executive Licensing Panel: 21 April 2020. Centre name Bourn Hall Clinic Wickford Centre number 0363 Licence number L/0363/1/a Centre address 25 London Road, Wickford, Essex, SS12 0AW, United Kingdom Person Responsible Mrs Sarah Pallett Licence Holder Dr Arpita Ray Date licence issued 30 July 2018 Licence expiry date 29 July 2020 Additional conditions
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Impact of Withdrawing Funding for Ivf
    THE IMPACT OF WITHDRAWING FUNDING FOR IVF Feedback to the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG regarding the impact of withdrawing NHS funding for IVF and a proposal from Bourn Hall to improve fertility service provision in the region. APRIL 2019 CONTENTS Executive summary ............................................................................................ 2 Results of the survey .......................................................................................... 3 FOI data/Bourn Hall data ................................................................................... 5 Recommendations ............................................................................................. 7 Appendix A: The Bourn Hall integrated fertility pathway ................................... 8 Appendix B: Survey results analysis .................................................................... 9 Appendix C: Impact of infertility on mental health ........................................... 11 Appendix D: Survey participants’ detailed feedback How has infertility affected you, your relationships and your health (or those of someone you care about)?............................................... 13 Appendix E: Survey participants’ advice What advice would you give your younger self regarding fertility treatment? .................. 26 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background In August 2017 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (C&PCCG) made the decision to remove funding for its Specialist Fertility Services, which includes IVF,
    [Show full text]
  • Fertility Network UK Magazine – Autumn 2016
    INUK Autumn 2016.e$S_Layout 1 11/10/2016 10:21 Page 1 No.51 Autumn 2016 The national charity, here for anyone who has ever experienced fertility problems NHS Funding Fundin g for NHS fertility treatmen the country, with access entir your postcode. t var ely dependies across ent on Information aby, you can find If you are trying to have a b rmation about fertility problems, treatment info upport here. options, funding and emotional s News News art parents icles f or those trying to become Support Our support network is here to offer those affected by fertility issues the support and understanding they need, when they need it. Events We have details of events which are free to attend and we will also list details of open days and free patient events for clinics who are members of our clinic outreach scheme. Our new website will be launched at The Fertility Show in November: www.fertilitynetworkuk.org INUK Autumn 2016.e$S_Layout 1 11/10/2016 10:23 Page 2 Fertility Network UK Susan Seenan Staff Gallery Chief Executive [email protected] Tel: 01294 230730 Mobile: 07762 137786 Sheena Andrew Coutts Catherine Hill Gillian Young Business Media McLaughlin Head of Development Relations Volunteer Business Manager Officer Co-ordinator Development [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Mobile: 07710 764162 Mobile: 07794 372351 Mobile: 07469 660845 Mobile: 07909 686874 Head Office Claire Heritage Alison Hannah Head Office Onash Tramaseur Manager Administrator
    [Show full text]
  • Gestational Surrogacy from Human Reproduction
    Human Reproduction Update, Vol.9, No.5 pp. 483±491, 2003 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmg033 Gestational surrogacy Peter R.Brinsden Bourn Hall Clinic, Bourn, Cambridge CB3 7TR, UK. E-mail: [email protected] Gestational surrogacy is a treatment option available to women with certain clearly de®ned medical problems, usually an absent uterus, to help them have their own genetic children. IVF allows the creation of embryos from the gametes of the commissioning couple and subsequent transfer of these embryos to the uterus of a surrogate host. The indications for treatment include absent uterus, recurrent miscarriage, repeated failure of IVF and certain medical conditions. Treatment by gestational surrogacy is straightforward and follows routine IVF procedures for the commissioning mother, with the transfer of fresh or frozen±thawed embryos to the surrogate host. The results of treatment are good, as would be expected from the transfer of embryos derived from young women and Downloaded from transferred to ®t, fertile women who are also young. Clinical pregnancy rates achieved in large series are up to 40% per transfer and series have reported 60% of hosts achieving live births. The majority of ethical or legal problems that have arisen out of surrogacy have been from natural or partial surrogacy arrangements. The experience of gestational surrogacy has been largely complication-free and early results of the follow-up of children, http://humupd.oxfordjournals.org/ commissioning couples and surrogates are reassuring. In conclusion, gestational surrogacy arrangements are carried out in a few European countries and in the USA. The results of treatment are satisfactory and the incidence of major ethical or legal complications has been limited.
    [Show full text]
  • Agenda Item 8.0A
    Agenda Item 8.0a PART I MEETING OF THE CASTLE POINT & ROCHFORD CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP GOVERNING BODY ON 29th MAY 2014 SPECIALIST FERTILITY SERVICES Submitted by: Kevin McKenny, Chief Operating Officer Prepared by: Emily Hughes, Head of Commissioning Status: For Approval EXECUTIVE SUMMARY i. Recommendations Members of the Governing Body are invited to approve the changes to the Specialist Fertility Services policy for south Essex. ii. Overview Until March 2013 specialist fertility services, including In-vitro fertilisation (IVF), Intra- cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and Donor Insemination (DI) were commissioned by the East of England Specialised Commissioning Group (EoE SCG). In April 2013, commissioning responsibility for specialist fertility services transferred to CCGs. East and North Hertfordshire CCG (ENCCG) are the lead CCG for contracting and commissioning specialist fertility services on behalf of all the CCGs in the East of England region (EoE). The EoE policies were adopted by the CCG and have remained in place across Essex until now, pending review. NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) clinical guidance on Fertility was recently updated in February 2013, Fertility CG156 updates and replaces NICE clinical guideline 11 published in 2004. The publication of the NICE update, which differs from the currently used EoE fertility guidelines, has given rise to variation in interpretation and commissioning of the service. The intention of this paper is to outline the key differences between the current EoE policy and the NICE update and to ask for approval to accept the updated policy across south Essex. This is particularly significant at this time as the region is about to begin a procurement exercise for the provision of specialist fertility services.
    [Show full text]
  • Full Programme
    Ways of Working online symposium programme 2.00pm-2.05pm Welcome from Allen Packwood, Director of Churchill Archives Centre. 2.05pm-2.35pm Madelin Evans (Edwards Papers Archivist, Churchill Archives Centre) and Professor Nick Hopwood (Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge) in conversation about using the archive of Robert Edwards for research. 2.35pm-3.05pm Professor Sarah Franklin (Reproductive Sociology Research Group, University of Cambridge) and Gina Glover (Artist, creator of Art in ART: Symbolic Reproduction exhibition) on working with images of reproduction in the Edwards archive. 3.05pm-3.15pm Break, with the chance to view a film of Art in ART: Symbolic Reproduction exhibition by Gina Glover 3.15pm-3.45pm Dr Kay Elder (Senior Research Scientist, Bourn Hall Clinic) and Dr Staffan Müller-Wille (University Lecturer, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge) on using clinical research notebooks, and scientific notebooks and manuscripts, for historical research. 3.45pm-4.15pm Professor Sir Richard Gardner (Emeritus Royal Society Research Professor in the University of Oxford) and Professor Roger Gosden (lately Professor at Cornell University, now Visiting Scholar at William & Mary and official biographer of Robert Edwards) on Robert Edwards’ style of working in the laboratory. 4.15pm-4.30pm Dr Jenny Joy (daughter of Robert Edwards, key in gathering together his archive) will talk about her experience of how her father worked. 4.30pm-5pm Concluding remarks, questions and discussion The Papers of Professor Sir Robert Edwards, at Churchill Archives Centre The archive comprises 141 boxes of personal and scientific papers including correspondence, research and laboratory notebooks, draft publications and journal articles, newspaper clippings, photographs, videos and film.
    [Show full text]
  • The Oldham Notebooks: an Analysis of the Development of IVF 1969￢ﾀﾓ
    Reproductive BioMedicine and Society Online (2015) 1,3–8 www.sciencedirect.com www.rbmsociety.com SYMPOSIUM: THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST IVF BIRTHS The Oldham Notebooks: an analysis of the development of IVF 1969–1978. I. Introduction, materials and methods Kay Elder a, Martin H Johnson b,⁎ a Bourn Hall Clinic, Bourn, Cambridge CB23 2TN; b Anatomy School and Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK * Corresponding author. E-mail addresses: [email protected] (K. Elder), [email protected] (M.H. Johnson). Kay Elder joined Bourn Hall in 1984 as Clinical Assistant to Patrick Steptoe, directing the Out-Patient Department from 1985 – 1987. Her scientific background as a research scientist at Imperial Cancer Research Fund prior to a medical degree at Cambridge University naturally led her to Bob Edwards and the IVF laboratory, where she worked as a senior embryologist from 1987. A programme of Continuing Education for IVF doctors, scientists and nurses at Bourn Hall was established in 1989, which she directed for 16 years. During this period she also helped to set up and run two Master’s degree programmes in Clinical Embryology, and she continues to mentor and tutor postgraduate students of Clinical Embryology at the University of Leeds. In her current role as Senior Research Scientist at Bourn Hall she co-ordinates research collaborations with the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge and the MRC National Institute for Medical Research in Mill Hill. Abstract In this introductory paper, we describe the primary source material studied in this Symposium, namely a set of 21 notebooks and 571 pages of loose sheets and scraps of paper, which, on cross-referencing, have allowed us to reconstruct the sequence, timing and numbers of the laparoscopic cycles planned, attempted and undertaken between 9 January 1969 and 1 August 1978 by Robert Edwards, Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy in Oldham, UK, as well as to identify most of the patients involved.
    [Show full text]
  • IVF Treatment in the East of England
    Approved IVF clinics Oxford Fertility Unit Where do patients from the east Institute of Reproductive Sciences, for patients in the Oxford Business Park North Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 2HW of England receive IVF Treatment east of England Tel: 01865 782 800 [email protected] The NHS and private fertility centres listed below provide www.oxfordfertilityunit.com IVF treatment for people living in the east of England. Bourn Hall Clinic Bourn Hall Clinic, Bourn, The Barts and the London Centre You can choose from any one of these centres and your Cambridge, CB23 2TN for Reproductive Medicine NHS gynaecology consultant will be able then to refer you. Tel: 01954 719111 2nd floor, Kenton and Lucas Wing, www.bourn-hall-clinic.co.uk St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield, London, EC1A 7BE The Leicester Fertility Centre Tel: 020 7601 7176 or 020 7601 8515 Location Provider Funding Outreach Clinics Assisted Conception Unit, Kensington [email protected] Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk/fertility Infirmary Square, Leicester, LE1 5WW Tel: 0116 2585922 IVF Hammersmith [email protected] Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Rd, Colchester IVF Treatment in Bourn Hall www.leicesterfertilitycentre.org.uk London W12 0HS Cambridge NHS Great Yarmouth Clinic Tel: 0208 383 4900 Kings Lynn www.ivfhammersmith.com the East of England The Leicester Leicester NHS No outreach centre Your questions answered Fertility Clinic Information & support Herts & Essex Fertility The following organisations can also assist you with Oxford Centre, Cheshunt information and advice on infertility and IVF treatment Oxford NHS Fertility Unit The Rosie Hospital, The East of England Specialised National Institute for Health Cambridge Commissioning Group (SCG) and Clinical Excellence (NICE) This independent organisation is The Barts and Commissions services, including IVF, on behalf of all 13 East of England responsible for providing national the London Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).
    [Show full text]
  • List of Designated Bodies Below You Will Find an A-Z List of Designated Bodies (DB), Their Responsible Officer (RO) and the DB Email Address That We Hold
    List of designated bodies Below you will find an A-Z list of designated bodies (DB), their Responsible Officer (RO) and the DB email address that we hold. Please take care when using the following email addresses, especially if you intend to send confidential information. Sometimes the email addresses we hold become out of date. Please check with the intended recipient if in doubt. If there is no email address it is because we do not hold one. We have approved a number of suitable persons. You can find our list of GMC approved suitable persons at: http://www.gmc-uk.org/Revalidation___Suitable_Person_details___DC4964.pdf_53912287.pdf We update this list on a weekly basis. This list was last updated on 20 September 2021. Details of responsible officers are provided to the GMC by each designated body. The GMC is not responsible for the appointment of responsible officers. If you have any queries regarding the responsible officer details for an individual designated body please contact the designated body. RO Title RO First Name RO Last Name RO UID DB Email Address 21st Century Clinic Ltd Dr Philip Dobson 3279643 [email protected] 4 Ways Healthcare Ltd Dr John Timmis 2273581 [email protected] 4Recruitment Services Ltd Dr Timothy Nuthall 3691263 [email protected] 58 Queen Square Mr Nigel Mercer 2626770 [email protected] Abicare Health Solutions Ltd Dr Harrison Offiong 7059321 [email protected] ABL Health Ltd Dr Francis Andrews 3334715 [email protected] About Health Ltd Dr Uma Krishnamoorthy 4754750 [email protected]
    [Show full text]
  • History of Clinical IVF
    Knowing Where We Came From: History of Clinical IVF Thomas B. Pool, Ph.D., HCLD Fertility Center of San Antonio San Antonio, Texas Disclosures “The vast majority of human beings dislike and even actually dread all notions with which they are not familiar…Hence, it comes about that at their first appearance, innovators have generally been persecuted, and always, derided as fools and madmen.” Aldous Huxley author Brave New World, 1932 “Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted”. Acknowledgements I want to thank the following individuals for their altruism and assistance in preparing this presentation for the College of Reproductive Biology: Peter Brinsden (l) with James Watson and Bob Edwards Lucinda Veeck Gosden Kay Elder Professor Sir Richard L. Gardner Jacques Cohen Cohen, Jacques, 2013. From Pythagoras and Aristotle to Boveri and Edwards: a history of clinical embryology and therapeutic IVF. In: Textbook of Clinical Embryology (Coward K., Wells, D.,eds) Cambridge University Press, p177-102. Henry Leese The early history of IVF 1 • Aristotle (384-322 BC) proposed the theory that children are a product of “the mingling of male and female seed”. This opposed the prevailing theory that children were from the male seed and women merely the “receptacle for the child”. • William Harvey (1578-1657) studied the fertility of the King’s herd of deer, and wrote: “De generatione animalium” in1651, in which occurs the well known phrase: “Ex ovo omnia” – “from the egg is everything”. • Antonj van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) carried out the first studies on human sperm with the newly invented microscope.
    [Show full text]
  • 45.13-IVF-Consultant-Pack
    EAST OF ENGLAND SPECIALISED COMMISSIONING GROUP SPECIALISED COMMISSIONING TEAM IVF Services for East of England Patients as of May 1st 2009 EAST OF ENGLAND SPECIALISED COMMISSIONING GROUP SPECIALISED COMMISSIONING TEAM Contents 1. Introduction 2. Policy and criteria 3. Barts and the London 4. Bourn Hall 5. Hammersmith 6. Leicester 7. Oxford 8. Links EAST OF ENGLAND SPECIALISED COMMISSIONING GROUP SPECIALISED COMMISSIONING TEAM -1- Introduction The East of England IVF policy and criteria was implemented from the 1st of May 2009, under the management of the East of England Specialised Commissioning Group. As from that date all couples with in the East of England that are eligible may now be entitled up to 3 fresh NHS IVF cycles. It is now also possible for all couples to be referred by their NHS consultant to any one of our 5 chosen centres .They are as follows Barts and the London Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Bourn Hall Clinic, IVF Hammersmith, Leicester Fertility Centre and Oxford Fertility Unit. Within this information pack you will find details of the policy and criteria and also information on all of the 5 centres, which we hope will be of use. EAST OF ENGLAND SPECIALISED COMMISSIONING GROUP SPECIALISED COMMISSIONING TEAM East of England Specialist Commissioning Group Fertility Treatment Policy EAST OF ENGLAND SPECIALISED COMMISSIONING GROUP SPECIALISED COMMISSIONING TEAM -2- EAST OF ENGLAND SPECIALIST COMMISSIONING GROUP FERTILITY TREATMENT AND REFERRAL CRITERIA FOR TERTIARY LEVEL ASSISTED CONCEPTION 1. INTRODUCTION This commissioning policy sets out the criteria for access to NHS funded specialist fertility services for the population of the East of England, along with the commissioning responsibilities and service provision.
    [Show full text]
  • Patient Information Fertility
    Patient Information Fertility Women’s Services Introduction This leaflet is for women and their partners in East and North Hertfordshire who are trying for a baby and having difficulty getting pregnant. General Information Around one in seven couples may have difficulty conceiving. This is approximately 3.5 million people in the UK. Some women conceive (get pregnant) quickly, but for others it can take longer. For every 100 couples trying to conceive naturally: 84 will conceive within one year 92 will conceive within two years 93 will conceive within three years It’s a good idea for a couple to visit their GP if they have not conceived after one year of trying. Women aged 36 and over, and anyone who is already aware they may have fertility problems, should see their GP sooner. The GP can check for common causes of fertility problems and suggest treatments that could help. For couples who have been trying to conceive for more than three years without success, the likelihood of pregnancy occurring within the next year is 25% or less. When a couple cannot get pregnant (conceive), despite having regular unprotected sex, this is known as infertility. 2 Infertility The diagnosis of infertility is made when a couple have been trying for a baby for one year and have been unable to become pregnant. There are two types of infertility: Primary Infertility – where someone who has never conceived a child in the past has difficulty conceiving. Secondary Infertility – where a person has had one or more pregnancies in the past, but is having difficulty conceiving again.
    [Show full text]
  • In Vitro Human Embryos: Interdisciplinary Reflections on the First 4 Decades
    In Vitro Human Embryos: Interdisciplinary reflections on the first 4 decades The Yusuf Hamied Centre Christ’s College, Cambridge 10.00-18.00 February 14th 2009 Christ’s College Cover photograph: Bunny Austin, Barbara Rankin, Bob Edwards & Jean Purdy, in the Marshall Lab in the early 1970’s Peter Braude Jacques Cohen Kay Elder Sarah Franklin Richard Gardner Emily Jackson Lisa Jardine Martin Johnson Onora O’Neill Marilyn Strathern Marina Warner Mary Warnock Photo Credits Marina Warner - John Batten Marilyn Strathern - Andrew Houston Introduction In Vitro Human Embryos: Interdisciplinary reflections on the first four decades Welcome to a meeting that is both commemorative and historical. The juxtaposition of these two functions is full of tension. Commemorations are occasions for joyful celebration, but they can also be dangerous academically, helping to sustain or create myths. Histories aim to expose and destroy myths and replace them with new, albeit provisional, truths. For example, there is an often articulated belief that the 1969 Nature paper was, in a neat touch of “Natural” editorial irony, published on St Valentine’s day - hence the date of this meeting. However, the actual date on the paper is 15th February 1969! A first myth destroyed? This meeting seeks to examine both the importance of a particular scientific publication and a wider social process of coming to terms with the in vitro human embryo, the birth of IVF, and the rapid expansion of new assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) worldwide that have emerged from it over the past 40 years. The questions we have asked our speakers to consider concern the ways in which different disciplines have responded to or been affected by this sea change in science and the accompanying social attitudes and values.
    [Show full text]