Timeline of key events
The multiple births minimisation strategy is a long-term project, during which the scientific and medical evidence - along with the views of patients, clinics and other relevant professionals - is being very carefully considered.
Key events and decisions include:
February and March 2012
Four workshops are held in London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Bristol for clinics to share best practice.
January 2012
The Authority decides on a Year 4 maximum multiple birth rate of 10%, to start from October 2012. Centres are informed of this decision.
12 May 2011
Updated consensus statement on multiple births and HFEA data report on multiple births released.
6 April 2011
Start date for Year 3 of the HFEA’s multiple births policy (15% target).
December 2010
The Authority decides on a Year 3 maximum multiple birth rate of 15%
6 April 2010
Start date for Year 2 of the HFEA’s multiple births policy (20% target).
March 2010
Two workshops held in Birmingham and Glasgow for clinics to share best practice.
January 2010
The Authority decides on a Year 2 maximum multiple birth rate of 20%.
December 2009
Open Authority meeting where members review and evaluate the first year of the HFEA’s multiple births policy.
October 2009
Launch of revised HFEA ‘Choose a Fertility Clinic’ service that publishes clinic success rates and clearly distinguishes singleton and multiple births.
Fifth meeting of the ‘Multiple Births Stakeholder Group’
June 2009
Expert Group on Commissioning NHS Infertility Provision publishes a guide to aid commissioners providing fertility treatment.
March 2009
Fourth meeting of the ‘Multiple Births Stakeholder Group’
February 2009
The Interim Chief Executive writes to NHS Directors of Public Health to outline the importance of ensuring that commissioning strategies are consistent with the HFEA's new multiple births policy.
1 January 2009
Start date for the Multiple Births, Single Embryo Transfer Policy.
April - May 2008
The Authority decides on a Year 1 interim target of 24%.
March 2008
Second meeting of the ‘National Strategy Stakeholders Group’
February 2008
An Authority Open Meeting clarified various policy details, including a January 2009 start date and that interim targets should operate as an ‘upper limit’ that will apply to all clinics.
The Authority approves plans for a ‘root and branch’ review of how the HFEA collects and presents data from clinics. This will include a review of how it presents live birth ‘success rate’ data (which currently doesnt always distinguish between singleton and multiple birth rates).
January 2008
HFEA Interim Chief Executive writes to NHS Directors of Public Health to outline the public health challenge of multiple births.
December 2007
First meeting of the ‘National Strategy Stakeholder Group’
October - November 2007
The Authority considers the evidence and conclusions from the public consultation and decides on an outcomes based policy decision. They also called for the establishment of a National Strategy Multiple Births Group to help implement the policy.
May 2007
‘Consensus statement’ published by professional bodies, patient groups and other stakeholders.
April - July 2007
The Authority carries out a public consultation, setting options for reducing the incidence of multiple births following IVF and potential regulatory actions to support this.
October 2007
The Authority considers the evidence and conclusions from the Expert Group’s report, “One child at a time”.
- “One child at a time” report (480Kb)
September 2006
An Expert Group reviews the evidence on multiple births and single embryo transfer (SET) and makes recommendations to the HFEA.
Page last updated: 01 February 2012
