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A summary of the one hundred and eighteenth meeting of the
Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority on 27th June 2002

Matters arising from the May meeting

The minutes of the May meeting were approved subject to minor amendments.

It was reported that a Consultation Document on Sex Selection would be completed by September.

Most clinics had re-submitted their data for the Patient's Guide. This data was being subject to some checks before being published on the website in August.

Members had seen a summary of the last Code of Practice committee meeting at which the subject of embryo transfer was discussed. The Committee had reiterated that clinics should be asked to record the exceptional circumstances when more than two embryos were transferred so as to assist the inspection process and the monitoring of the two embryo policy.

It was agreed that clinic's compliance with the two embryo policy would be monitored as part of an audit process. The results of the Audit would be brought back to the Authority for discussion.

Donor Information

A paper was agreed subject to minor amendments and would be posted on the website following submission to the Department of Health [insert link].

Chief Executive's Report

The Chief Executive welcomed the support of British Fertility Society in working with HFEA to help strengthen the HFEA's regulatory process.

A HFEA/MRC working group had been established to advise on research on ART. A number of members suggested that it would be appropriate for an embryologist/clinician member of the HFEA to join that group.

Data Register

Members considered the outline proposal and business plan for improving the Register.

Development of New Fees Strategy

The Chair had received a majority vote from Members in favour of the distribution of a consultation document on a future fee strategy. Responses would be invited before the 15th August and would be considered at the Authority meeting on 26th September when a fee strategy would be agreed. The consultation document, HFEA Consultation on the Modernisation of Regulation and New Fee Strategy would be posted on the website. [insert link]

Regulation Activity

Members noted a report on the level of regulatory activity.

Corporate Governance

A report on Corporate Governance prepared by the Authority's internal auditors was discussed.

The report was the result of a review carried out under the internal audit programme and contained some fundamental issues that the Authority needed to address.

In terms of the Statement of Internal Control required by Treasury, the report was regarded as a good framework towards compliance with the requirements set out in Turnbull best practice on internal control.

Annual Accounts 2001-2002

It was reported that the more robust business processes for calculating fees which had been put in place had resulted in an increase in generated income.

The Audit Committee had considered the 2001-2002 Accounts and was satisfied they were in order. Members were informed that the NAO would still need to qualify these.

Statement of Internal Control

As Accounting Officer, Dr Maureen Dalziel is personally required to report upon the performance of the Authority in the discharge of its functions. Such requirement includes the performance of: the Authority itself; each of the Committees of the Authority (including the Licence Committees); Authority Members; and the Executive staff

The Statement of Internal Control is much more widely drawn than in 2000/01 and earlier years and now includes reference to all aspects of the Authority's functions and control arrangements, not just those relating to financial control.

The Authority noted that:
After reviewing the draft statement of Internal Control and hearing comments from all members present, it was resolved that the Authority pass the following resolution:
That the Authority hereby confirms its support for the Chief Executive to:

• implement the first stage of a new fee strategy, directed at providing the Authority with the financial resources required to deliver a strong pro-active modern regulatory organisation committed to public service values;
• start to implement the main recommendations included in the review of Corporate Governance;
• start to implement the main recommendations included in reviews of licensing;
• make significant progress in the implementation of a number of interim technical, project and management support measures that are designed to further minimise the statutory risk exposure to the HFEA;
• design a Risk Management Strategy by March 2003 that looks forward to 2007. 

Business Plan 2002-2003

The Business Plan was discussed. It was noted that there was an urgent need to update the Code of Practice. It was agreed that those sections that played an important part in the regulatory process this needed to be updated without further delay. The more thorough review of the form and content of the Code would be carried out as soon as possible.

Date of next meeting

The date of the next Authority meeting is 25 July 2002.

Page last updated: 24 October 2011

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