September 2002
A summary of the one hundred and twentieth meeting of the
Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority on 26th September 2002
Matters arising from the July meeting
The minutes of the July meeting were approved subject to minor amendments.
It was reported that letters had been sent to licensed centres advising them of new witnessing protocols, and on how patient requests to select the characteristics of sperm or eggs should be managed.
It was reported that the executive was liaising closely with the Department of Health to respond to factual inaccuracies that had been noted in the report of the Science and Technology Committee on developments in human genetics and embryology
It was noted that Authority members, Dr Sue Avery and Professor Tom Baldwin had been appointed members of the Stem Cell Bank Steering Committee chaired by Lord Patel.
Chairman's Report
The Chair recognised the amount of work put in by the Executive Team to meet the priorities that Ministers had set for the Authority. She thanked the Deputy Chair, Julia Tugendhat who was retiring after this meeting, for the many years she has devoted to the Authority and the extraordinary contribution she had made to the HFEA. Ministers had appointed Professor Tom Baldwin to be the new Deputy Chair of the Authority and the Chair informed members that she had asked Shar Nebhrajani to become the new chair of the Licensing and Fees Committee.
Members also noted that Henry Leese had submitted his resignation to Ministers with immediate effect. The Chair wished to record her gratitude for his commitment and scientific input into Authority discussions and decisions.
Response to Fees Consultation and Report of Steering Group
Members considered this document and the Report of the Independent Steering Group. The main issues/concerns arising from members' discussion were as follows:
The method of collection of fees: The preferred option for the HFEA was a clinic based fee. However, taking into account the budgeting practicalities for the clinics, the OFC had been minded to recommend that the short term income should be levied on treatment cycles. The improved audit of clinics would enable better assessment of the number of treatment cycles.
The timing of the increase: The Authority agreed that the increase should take effect from January 2003. It was agreed that a letter would be sent to clinics notifying them that, subject to Ministerial and Treasury approval, the increase in fees would take effect from January 2003.
The amount of the increase: Members agreed on £100 per IVF cycle and £50 per DI cycle.
Duplication of functions: Several respondents to the consultation document were concerned that HFEA's regulatory functions would duplicate the functions of other regulatory bodies, e.g. NCSC and CHI. This needed to be addressed and it was important for it to be known that HFEA were taking this on board. However, it was difficult to know what the HFEA's regulatory role would be in view of new legislation regarding inspection functions.
DH confirmed that whilst the new legislation would be left flexible, there was no intention in the foreseeable future of taking the inspection role away from the HFEA.
Publication of Consultation Document and Steering Report:
A report summarising responses to the Consultation Document would be published on the website and copied to respondents of the consultation.
The Report of the Independent Steering Group should be published on the website and copied to those who gave evidence. The Report would also be presented to Ministers with the Business Case
HFEA Business Case
The Chair emphasised the need to fulfil the statutory obligations of the Authority and stressed her determination to get sufficient resources to enable this, while being mindful of the need not to waste public money.
Members received a presentation that explained the key assumptions used in the Business Case to arrive at the level required for HFEA to become fit for purpose. This involved a considerable increase in the HFEA's budget.
It would be crucial for the HFEA to implement the improvements viewed as being required by the respondents to the Consultation, and to demonstrate how the money was going to be used in the immediate future. An implementation plan was needed.
The costs of regulation would need to met from fees but other costs would require additional funding from DH.
The Authority felt the Business Case, as it had been presented, was the only way forward and agreed that it should go forward to for ministerial approval.
Sex Selection Review
Following the increased success of sperm sorting techniques for sex selection HFEA had been asked to conduct a wide-ranging review of the practice. The Authority received a Consultation and members were asked to approve the document for publication in October.
The conclusions drawn from this Consultation and the suggested options for regulation would be available in early 2003 for discussion by the Ethics Committee and then the full Authority.
Chief Executive's Report
The publication of the Patients' Guide data was reported extensively and a successful press conference had been held.
Members were updated on progress with several court cases.
Regulation Activity
Members noted a report on the level of regulation activity.
Data Register Follow Up
It was noted that a group of eight auditors had been recruited and that they would be involved in the 10% verification of the Patients' Guide data required by the National Audit Office by the end of March.
Finance and Business Support
It was agreed that it would be preferable for the HFEA to remain at Paxton House, rather than relocate.
Business Plan
Members received a progress report on the 2002/03 Business Plan.
Committee Reports
Members noted the Minutes of the Licensing and Fees Committee, he Organisation and Finance Committee and the Working Group on New Developments in Reproductive Technology.
Date of Next Meeting
The date of the next Authority meeting is 24 October 2002
Page last updated: 24 October 2011