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A summary of the one hundred and seventh meeting of the
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on 22 March 2001

Matters Arising from minutes of the February Authority Meeting

The minutes of the February meeting were approved.

The Chairman informed Members that following a series of meetings between the Department of Health and the HFEA, a revised budget had been agreed.

The Chairman updated Members on the Hampshire Clinics and explained that the police investigation was ongoing.

Members discussed audit trails at inspections. It was acknowledged that at present there was some inconsistency between inspections, mainly due to the differing attitudes of centres, with allowing straws to be removed and checked, whilst others felt opening dewars and removing straws posed too high a risk to the stored material.

Members were informed that the initial judgement on the application for Judicial Review concerning the transfer of more than three embryos was that the applicant had not made a case for judicial review, and his application had been turned down. However, the claimant had appealed, and a new hearing date had been set for 24 April.

The Chairman informed Members that two new Members had been appointed to the Authority, Tom Baldwin and Iain Cameron.

Members agreed that a small meeting of interested parties including the CMO and his advisors would be useful to look at the current situation regarding ICSI as well as how to promote and co-ordinate future large scale follow-up studies.

Chairman's Business

The Chairman reported on the HGC meeting that she had attended. Members' attention was drawn to the HGC's response to the PGD consultation, which is to be discussed at the HFEA/HGC joint working party at their next meeting on 30 March 2001.

Discussion Papers

Combined Corporate and Business Plan for 2001/2 to 2002/4 and Budget 2000/01
Members discussed the achievements of the Authority against its 2000/1 Corporate and Business Plan. They also discussed and approved the proposed Business and Corporate Plan and Budget for the period 2001/2 to 2002/4 and draft Budget for 2000/1.

Release of inspection reports to centres, host management and the public
Members discussed the release of inspection reports to centres, host management and the public, including the possible impact of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Members noted that the proposed procedure gives centres an opportunity to comment on the factual accuracy of the report before the Chair of the inspection signs it off. The report would then go to a Licence Committee, the minutes and recommendations of which are sent to the centre. The centre then has thirty days to make representations.

Members agreed to the proposed procedure for the release of reports to centres.

Members discussed how inspection reports should be released to the public. Members agreed that the Authority would work towards making licence committee decisions public in due course. (corrected as confirmed by Authority meeting February 2003)

Changes to Directions on the supply of information and submission of data

Members discussed areas of concern that had been identified by the Executive including, the timing of the registration of donors by recruiting centres and the movement of related paperwork (including donor registration and consent forms) between centres.

Members agreed the new Directions D.2001/1 instructing centres to register donors with the HFEA prior to the use of that donor's gametes in treatment and to pass on specific information when gametes are transferred between centres to ensure all donors' wishes are complied with when the gametes are used. Amendments to Directions D.1999/1 were also agreed.

Members stressed that paperwork accompanying gametes in transit should not contain identifying information for reasons of security. They agreed that there was no reason for the receiving centre to have identifying information about the donor.

Chief Executive's Business

The Acting Chief Executive informed Members about two recent meetings he had attended on Quality Assurance and the National Care Standards Commission.

Reports from Committees and Working Groups

Reports were submitted by the Licensing and Fees Committee, the Code of Practice Committee and the Organisation and Fees Committee.

The LFC reported on their deliberations about the release of inspection reports, the review of research licensing, the incorporation of stem cell regulations into research licensing system and reviewing the pool of inspectors.

The CoPC reported on their deliberations about the registration of laboratory staff, the introduction of clinical governance in assisted conception units and access to identifying information for persons not named on a licence.

The OFC reported on their deliberations on the draft business and corporate plans and draft budget for 2001/02, the proposed increase in fee levels and the HFEA executive staff pension scheme.

Any Other Business

There was no other business for discussion.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next Authority meeting is on Friday 25 May 2001

Page last updated: 24 October 2011

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