CH(96)01
22 February 1996
Dear Colleague
REVISED DIRECTION ON PAYMENTS FOR DONORS
In the last Policy Update, on 27 November 1995, I informed you of the Authority's decision that clinics "should not use donors whom they know or believe to have been paid, or are likely to be paid, in cash or in kind through an agency or intermediary any sum in excess of that presently allowed by directions". I said that we would be issuing a revised direction on payments to donors to reflect this position. A copy of the revised direction is now enclosed. This takes effect from 26 February, and replaces the existing direction D1991/2.
This policy was agreed by the Authority after consideration of a situation in which an egg donor might receive payment as a result of the involvement of an agency or intermediary. In order to ensure that prospective donors are not receiving such payments, clinics should enquire carefully of prospective donors how they learned of the clinic and of the possibility of becoming an egg donor. Such enquiries would be particularly relevant in cases where the patient and a prospective donor approach the clinic together. In this case, the clinic should also make specific, but tactful, enquiries as to how the donor agreed to donate for the recipient, and whether an agency or intermediary has been involved. If an intermediary has been involved, the clinic should ask directly whether any payment in cash or in kind has been made or is to be made in respect of the donation.
Yours faithfully
Mrs Ruth Deech
Chairman
Page last updated: 17 August 2012