Cambridge IVF and Bourn Hall Clinic reopen to offer fertility services
Cambridge IVF has become one of the first clinics in the country to be given the green light to fully restart fertility services.
It has been given permission to undertake full in vitro fertilisation treatment by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
The clinic, which is part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, showed inspectors it is complying with tough new HFEA regulations.
Patients visiting the clinic in Maris Lane, Trumpington will have to wait in their vehicles before being called in to begin their tests or treatment, and staff will be wearing PPE and social distancing will be in place.
Consultant embryologist Stephen Harbottle, a former chair of the Association of Clinical Embryologists and former chair of the Association of Biomedical Andrologists, said: “For patients who have reduced and deteriorating fertility the suspension of IVF treatment has been really challenging, as they have been facing the worry that they could be losing their chance to conceive.
“We are working to current best practice guidance and amending our practice dynamically as new recommendations and guidelines are made available.”
A letter from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to the clinic said: “By putting in place stringent safe working practices we hope both you and your patients stay safe and well.”
Cambridge IVF was the only clinic in the area which maintained a reduced level of other fertility services since the lockdown. For more information visit cambridge-ivf.org.uk.
Bourn Hall Clinic has also received authorisation from the HFEA to commence treatment at its three full-service clinics in Bourn, Norwich and Wickford.
It is anticipated that some treatments will start next week, and the first clinic to open will be in Bourn.
All full service clinics will open quickly and within the space of the next few weeks.
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