If you registered before 1 October 2009 and your treatment period continued or started after 1 October 2009
Since 1 October 2009, under new legislation, we are able to release patient-identifying information to researchers that was entered onto the Register between August 1991 and September 2009.
For treatment undertaken since 1 October 2009, we are able to release patient-identifying information to researchers from the Register but only if you give us permission to do so. If you registered with a clinic before 1 October 2009 but are intending to return for treatment, in the future you will be required to fill in a 'Disclosure of identifying information’ (CD form). The preferences you record on this form apply to all data held about you.
The information below is to help you decide whether or not you wish to consent to the disclosure of your personal identifying information to researchers.
What the identifying information might include
Your identifying information on the HFEA Register may include data such as your name or date and place of birth.
Donor information
We will not release donor-related information. The law does not allow the HFEA to release identifying information from our Register about:
- donors who have donated eggs, sperm or embryos for use in the treatment of others,
- those receiving treatment using donated eggs, sperm or embryos, or
- those born as a result of such treatment.
Who might be allowed to use the identifying information
We would only provide identifying information if we think it really necessary, to allow important research to be done.
Patient-identifying information will only be available to researchers linked to a recognised research institution for projects which have received approval from a research ethics committee and it will not be disclosed to other parties.
Also see:
How the identifying information would be used
Record linkage. The main use of identifying information is to link information held on different registers or databases.
Example: it is possible that researchers may want to link the HFEA Register
on IVF with information on the NHS Central Register or data held
by Hospital Episode Statistics and a minimum amount of
identifying information (eg, one or two identifiers) could be released
in order to do this.
Medical research. Researchers could use identifying information to carry out medical research.
Example: researchers could investigate the type of infertility patients have,
their lifestyle in relation to their treatment or its outcome. Also,
they could investigate the safety and efficacy of fertility treatments
and develop new treatment and storage techniques.
Social science research. Researchers could use identifying information to carry out social science research.
Example: researchers could investigate the social characteristics (age,
occupation, ethnic group) of those who seek fertility
treatment, patients’ treatment experience or the effect of
national policies such as the HFEA multiple births policy.
Contact research. Some research requires direct participation from patients and is known as contact research. Your centre will ask if you are willing to participate in this type of research.
If you agree to this, a member of staff from your centre will contact you if there is a particular research study you may be suitable for.
Your participation might range from minimal (such as a short questionnaire) to more extensive involvement (such as long-term longitudinal studies involving those born as a result of treatment).
You will always be asked to give consent and will be free to withdraw this at any time until your information is used in the study.
Safeguarding your data and confidentiality
We are committed to safeguarding your confidential information. It will only be shared with researchers who are committed to the same standard.
Research project approval. All applications by researchers to access patient-identifying information on the HFEA register will have to be approved by the HFEA.
- Research institutions. Patient-identifying information will only be available to researchers linked to a recognised research institution on projects which have received approval from a research ethics committee. The information will not be disclosed to other parties.
- Published findings. Where researchers publish their research findings, it will always be ensured that you cannot be identified from the published research.
- Ethics committee approval. We intend to ask the Ethics and Confidentiality Committee of the National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care to review all medical research applications to ensure that releasing the information is in the public’s interest.
- National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care website
How to get involved
Giving consent - If you are wiling to allow researchers access to your identifying information held on the HFEA Register, you must complete the HFEA consent form ‘Disclosure of identifying information’ (CD form). Your clinic will be able to provide you with this and assist you in completing it.
The CD form allows you to consent to researchers using your identifying information on the HFEA register and allows you to specify whether this is for the purpose of non-contact and/or contact research.
Withdrawing or varying consent - You will be able to make changes to or withdraw your consent at any time. If you wish to vary or withdraw your consent given on the CD form, you should instruct your centre of this in writing, preferably by completing another CD form. Your centre will be able to provide you with this.
Alternatively, if since your last visit your centre has closed, and you wish to make any changes to your consent, please contact the HFEA at research.consent@hfea.gov.uk.
Page last updated: 19 April 2010
Get monthly updates on HFEA news, policy and guidance sent to your inbox.