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A summary of the one hundred and twenty fourth meeting of the
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on 20 February 2003

Matter arising from the January meeting

The minutes from the January 2003 meeting were approved with some minor amendments.

Chairman's Report

The Chair reported on a very positive meeting with the Minister who is maintaining an interest in progress that is being made at the HFEA. The HFEA is working with other organisations to provide the Department of Health with further information in the extended consultation they are carrying out on donor anonymity. There was a suggestion that a clinic should be provided with support to undertake a pilot study to recruit identifiable sperm donors. There was concern about the limited time that was available to engage in such a pilot scheme and whether or not a single clinic would have the capacity to collect sufficiently robust data in six months.  It was agreed that existing data on other countries' experience on this matter should be shared with the Department of Health.

The Chair reported on a meeting with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to discuss risk reduction. At that meeting, the Chair had informed the CMO that the HFEA Code of Practice will now endorse the transfer of only two embryos and remove the clause of exceptional circumstances. The CMO had agreed it would be important to look at the evidence on the implications for the NHS of multiple births due to IVF in co-operation with the Department of Health's Operational and Economics Research Unit. The CMO will present his findings at an HFEA workshop later in 2003.

The Chair relayed a request from the Human Genetics Commission to work more closely with the HFEA on issues relating to reproductive choices. It was agreed that an invitation should be extended to the Commission to attend future Authority meetings.

Chief Executive's Report

The Chief Executive reported that a two day inspector assessment and training seminar had taken place in February 2003. The Chair thanked all Authority Members who had taken part in this successful and positive initiative.

The Chief Executive presented a draft of the new HFEA Business Plan which had already been approved by the HFEA Organisation and Finance Committee. A number of general and specific suggestions were made for the draft Plan. The Chief Executive also indicated that the HFEA would submit a corporate plan to the Secretary of State by the end of April 2003. Members agreed that a special meeting to discuss the Corporate Plan should take place in April in place of the April Authority meeting.

Frozen Embryo Cycles

A draft Chair's letter on Frozen Embryo Cycles was approved. It was clarified that fees became payable both on HFEA receipt of forms from clinics indicating that embryos had been frozen and thawed. There was considerable discussion around whether cycles where all embryos are frozen for medical reasons should incur a charge both for freezing and any subsequent use of the embryos. This would result in clinics being penalised for good practice. It was therefore agreed that cycles where all embryos were frozen would not incur a charge.

It was also agreed that no charge would be levied for the cryopreservation of eggs. A fee would be charged when an embryo created using cryopreserved eggs were transferred.

Sixth Edition Of the Code of Practice

The meeting was informed that the sixth edition of the Code of Practice was at production stages with designers, and that a half day workshop for Persons Responsible was planned for 31 March 2003. The workshop would introduce participants to the new edition of the Code and provide an opportunity to discuss legal and other implications of this new edition.

New ICSI leaflet

Draft text of a new HFEA leaflet on ICSI was discussed. It was agreed that this and other HFEA leaflets must be kept under continuous review to ensure that patients and others are being provided with the latest information and guidance on assisted reproduction techniques. The new ICSI leaflet will be made available on the HFEA website shortly.

New HFEA Committees

A paper on the functions of the new HFEA Committees was presented. It was agreed that the chairs of the Social and Clinical Advances Group and the Ethics and Law Committee would overlap and join the membership of each other's committees.  It was also agreed that a co-opted member of the National Blood Authority would join the HFEA Information Management Programme Board to act as an external assessor.  Authority members were asked to provide proposed names for any potential co-optees for the HFEA Social and Clinical Advances Group and the Ethics and Law Committee.

Posthumous use of sperm

Two cases of requests for posthumous use of sperm were discussed. It was a agreed that a Chair's letter should be issued reminding all clinics of the importance of completing all part of all HFEA consent forms including consent to posthumous use of sperm to avoid any future confusion to clinics and patients on this matter.

Research Issues

Discussion was held considering the HFEA role in research given that this function has never been in the HFEA remit or budget.  There was a suggestion that the HFEA should undertake social research in relation to welfare of the child issues. It was agreed that the Authority should receive a paper on research priorities at its May meeting when future action concerning research should be decided.

Research topics that could be discussed at the May meeting include follow up of children born as a result of assisted reproductive technology in conjunction with the Medical Research Council and a review of international data on PGD.

Patients Guides

Options for the 2003 editions of the Patients Guides were discussed. These include the production of a different type of guides which could act as a directory for patients with information on specific services and policies of clinics. The HFEA is currently working with CHILD to ascertain what information they recommend should be in the Patients Guides.

Date of the next meeting

The date of the next meeting is March 20th at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Page last updated: 24 October 2011

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