F-2011-00142 - Surrogacy
17 May 2011
Summary of request
The Authority was asked whether it holds data about surrogacy and if so, where this information can be found.
HFEA response
The HFEA does not regulate surrogacy arrangements. However, the HFEA Register of fertility treatment records when a patient acting as a surrogate receives fertility treatment at an HFEA licensed centre. This information has been recorded on the Register since 1999 and can be found in the anonymised register, published on the HFEA’s website (see: http://www.hfea.gov.uk/5874.html). As this information is reasonably accessible via the HFEA website, it is exempt from disclosure under section 21 FOIA.
The anonymised register includes the most recent verified data that is stored in the HFEA’s statutory register at the date of publication. Data sets for more recent periods will be added once these have been subjected to the HFEAs’ verification procedures. Outcomes for treatments taking place up to 30 June 2008 have been subject to a preliminary verification process, and the centres that supplied the data have been asked to confirm their accuracy, for which they remain responsible. Please note that the information in our database may be subject to change as licensed centres notify us of information that updates or corrects information they have previously supplied. Cycles where the woman treated is under 18 or over 50 have not been included to protect confidentiality of the patients concerned.
A user guide to the anonymous register is available on our website at: http://www.hfea.gov.uk/docs/2010-04-26_Anonymised_Register_User_Guide_SN_DESIGN.pdf
Page last updated: 16 August 2012