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29 July 1999

To: Persons Responsible

Dear Colleague

Patients' Guide - Clinic Information

As you know, the HFEA is planning to publish its redesigned Patients' Guide to DI and IVF clinics towards the end of this year. Many patients who responded to the Authority's consultation commented that it would be helpful if the Guide could indicate individual clinic policies. In line with this, the HFEA has decided that clinic entries should provide limited information on certain categories of patients that a clinic will not treat and whether the treatment is provided to "fee-paying" and/or "non fee-paying" patients. In addition, we would include their web-site and/or e-mail addresses, if available, and the name of the clinic's member of staff who acts as the first point of contact for potential patients.   This letter asks you to supply this information on the enclosed form. This information needs to be with us by no later than 16th August.

Please note that, only if your clinic has absolute rules on whom can be treated with no discretion allowed, should you indicate that any categories are excluded for treatment on the enclosed form. Thus, if a clinic will never treat patients above a certain age or single women then these restrictions should be listed under the heading, "Following categories excluded". If all categories of patients are offered treatment at a clinic or the decision to exclude is taken on a case-by-case basis, then the clinic's entry should say that "No categories excluded".

A patient is fee-paying regardless of whether the fee only covers the cost of treatment or returns a profit to the clinic. A patient is non fee-paying if she is treated solely under the NHS.

In addition, I ask that you check the enclosed details that we have for your clinic's name, address, phone/fax number and the treatments you are licensed to provide, making any amendments as required and signing off the sheet when you are content.
 
I would be grateful if you could return the enclosed forms to Richard Baranowski at the HFEA. You can contact him on 0171-539 3329 (direct line) if you have any questions regarding the above.

Yours sincerely

Suzanne McCarthy
Chief Executive

Page last updated: 24 August 2012

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