The HFEA's monthly newsletter for clinic staff |
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‘Fertility treatment 2023: Trends and figures’ report published |
Today we published our Fertility treatment 2023: Trends and figures report. The report data shows that almost 21,000 babies were born from IVF in 2023, this is an increase over the past decade from 1 in 44 births in 2013 to 1 in 32 in 2023. The number of IVF patients also increased by 11% between 2013 and 2023, from 47,200 to 52,400.
Other key findings include: -
Average IVF pregnancy rate using fresh embryo transfers increased nationally to 31% per embryo transferred in 2023 from 22% per embryo transferred in 2013, with the highest pregnancy rates in patients aged 18-34 at 41%.
- In 2023, 2,900 patients had donor insemination (DI) treatment with around 820 babies born.
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Births from donor treatment made up around 1 in 5 of all IVF and DI births in 2023, accounting for around 1 in 153 of all UK births, which is more than previous years.
- Egg freezing cycles increased from 4,700 in 2022 to 6,900 in 2023, accounting for 7% of all cycles. Egg freezing increased most among patients in their 30s, but the number of patients using their stored frozen eggs in treatment remains low.
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In 2023, 27% of IVF cycles across the UK were NHS-funded, the same as in 2022, but falling from 35% in 2019. NHS funding for IVF continues to vary across the UK.
Although IVF birth rates in the UK have risen, disparities in outcomes still exist. In recent years, Asian and Black patients have had lower birth rates (27% and 25% respectively) than White patients and patients from a mixed ethnic background (33% and 30% respectively).
You can read the full report here. |
Choose a Fertility Clinic (CaFC) update – upcoming consultation |
Last month we published interim CaFC for the majority of clinics. Following this, in the summer we will be running a survey to gather views on which CaFC homepage statistics are most helpful for the public and representative of fertility treatment today. This short survey will be open to both patients and professionals, and a link to participate will be shared via Clinic Focus. |
SCAAC rates androgen supplementation as a treatment add-on |
The HFEA’s Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC) has rated androgen supplementation as a treatment add-on following a review of the evidence by an external expert.
Androgen supplementation involves giving testosterone or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to patients before the ovarian stimulation phase of IVF. Androgen supplementation is offered by some clinics with the stated aim of improving a patient’s response to ovarian stimulation. It can be suggested as beneficial for women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) or poor ovarian response (POR).
The Committee rated androgen supplementation mostly as having no effect on treatment outcomes including for specific patient groups like women with poor ovarian response. However, for some outcomes and patient groups, the Committee found there was insufficient moderate or high quality evidence to rate the effectiveness of the add-on. Further details can be found here. |
Dedicated Whistleblowing inbox now live |
The HFEA takes all whistleblowing allegations or concerns seriously. To support any staff member current or past to be able to whistleblow, the HFEA now has a dedicated whistleblowing inbox. The e-mail address is whistleblowing@hfea.gov.uk. All information provided is treated confidentially. Further information can be found here. |
SCAAC welcomes two new External Advisers |
The HFEA’s Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new External Advisers, following recent recruitment. The two new Advisers bring a wealth of experience, which will be invaluable when providing expert advice on scientific and clinical developments relevant to the Authority and its work. Professor Asif Muneer, a Consultant Urological Surgeon and Andrologist brings expertise in urology and andrology. Dr Sarah Martins da Silva, a gynaecologist, brings expertise in reproductive medicine and andrology.
Professor Muneer and Dr Martins da Silva are appointed for an initial term of three years.
You can find more information about the SCAAC here, including the minutes of the February 2025 meeting. |
Job vacancy – Scientific inspector |
We are recruiting for a full time Scientific Inspector at the HFEA. If you are a Scientist or Embryologist working in the fertility sector or have other relevant scientific experience and have worked in a senior role, we would like to hear from you.
The job description and details on how to apply can be found here. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 9 July 2025. Interviews will take place at 2 Redman Place, Stratford, London on Tuesday 29 July 2025. If you would like more information about the role, please contact sharon.fensome-rimmer@hfea.gov.uk |
Our latest clinical governance summary report |
We have published our latest clinical governance summary report that covers some of the common non-compliances identified at inspections, reported incidents and complaints received from October to December 2024.
The aim of this report is to highlight key areas of practice where improvements can be made, or where learning and experiences can be shared to benefit other clinics. To promote learning from inspections we encourage you to use the areas outlined in this report as an opportunity to consider how your clinic might approach these issues.
The HFEA, in line with other healthcare regulatory bodies, promotes an open reporting culture where healthcare professionals are more likely to learn from incidents when they feel safe and secure reporting them internally and externally to the appropriate regulatory bodies. |
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Alert 2025/08 - Field Safety Notice: Intersurgical: One-piece Guedel airways product recall
Alert 2025/08 was issued on 18 June 2025
If the PR at your clinic did not receive this alert via email, please contact Business Support at HFEACompliance@HFEA.gov.uk to update your contact details. Please also make sure that the email address alerts are sent from, alert@hfea.gov.uk, has been whitelisted by your IT department.
If there are members of clinic staff, other than your PR, who would also like to receive alerts, then please provide Business Support with their details, using the email address above. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) publish all Field Safety Notices (FSNs) on their website. For any questions about the content of the Alerts, please contact incident.reporting@hfea.gov.uk. |
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Staff fatigue and patient safety
The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) has recently published a report about staff fatigue and patient safety. The report demonstrates that staff fatigue contributes directly and indirectly to patient harm - yet fatigue is not routinely considered in patient safety event reporting or learning reviews.
In other safety-critical industries, fatigue is treated as a recognised hazard by organisations, supported by formal fatigue risk management systems. Staff fatigue in healthcare is often misunderstood. It’s seen as a wellbeing concern to be managed by individuals, rather than a critical patient and staff safety risk that organisations can help to reduce. The report shares safety recommendations and learning for healthcare organisations to increase their understanding of staff fatigue.
A link to the full report can be found here. |
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Editorial statement Clinic Focus is the official electronic newsletter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, is produced by the editorial team of the HFEA and provides a monthly roundup of news and information for clinics and their staff working in the field of fertility treatment.
No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission. You can view our privacy policy on our website. Click here to unsubscribe 2 Redman Place London E20 1JQ © Copyright Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, 2019 |
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