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 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: 12 April 2009
