Donor compensation policies

FAQs on the new donor compensation policies (coming into force on 1 April 2012)

1. Are centres required to compensate sperm and egg donors the full amounts permitted by HFEA Directions?

No. We do not require centres to compensate donors the full amount. We permit centres to compensate egg donors up to the fixed amount of £750 per cycle of donation and up to £35 per clinic visit for sperm donors.

2. Does the fixed amount of compensation cover loss of earnings as well as expenses?

Yes. The fixed amount of money should cover all financial losses incurred in connection with donating gametes provided to that centre.

3. What if a donor’s expenses exceed the fixed amounts of compensation given to the donor?

Centres may compensate donors an excess amount in cases where additional expenses (such as for travel, accommodation or childcare), exceed £35 per clinic visit or £750 per cycle of donation.

For example, if a sperm donor incurs out-of-pocket expenses of £50 for one clinic visit, the centre may give the donor £35 plus an extra £15.

For example, if an egg donor incurs expenses of £900 for a cycle of donation, the centre may give the donor £750 plus an extra £150.

Out-of-pocket expenses must not include loss of earnings. For example, if a sperm donor incurs £5 out-of-pocket expenses, but his loss of earnings is £50, he cannot be given any more than £35 per clinic visit.

4. Are there any additional steps I need to take if I compensate donors for additional expenses?

Yes. Centres must only compensate donors additional expenses which:

  • are reasonable
  • do not include loss of earnings
  • have been incurred by the donor in connection with the donation of gametes provided to that centre
  • have been incurred by the donor solely within the United Kingdom.

Centres must also keep a record of when they give donors additional compensation for excess expenses. See the revised General Directions 0001 for further information.

5. I have an overseas donor who wants to come to the UK to donate. Can I compensate the donor additional expenses to cover their overseas travel costs?

No. Centres must not compensate non-UK donors’ additional expenses for overseas travel expenses.

Donors who are not permanent residents of the UK may be compensated in the same way as UK donors, with the exception of the excess expenses allowance for the overseas part of the travel. Centres must not directly or indirectly pay the overseas travel of a non-UK donor.

6. I have a patient who has donated their embryos. What compensation can they receive?

If a person has stored embryos for use in their own treatment but then consents to donate them, a centre may compensate the donor (whether the egg provider or the sperm provider) for subsequent visits on a ‘per clinic visit’ basis, if they are required to attend the clinic in connection with the donation.

7. What happens if a prospective egg donor visits a clinic for screening and tests but then does not decide to donate?

In cases where a prospective egg donor does not complete the cycle, centres may compensate the egg donor on a £35 ‘per clinic visit’ basis.

8. Can a known donor (such a friend or relative) receive the same amount of compensation as an unknown donor?

Yes. The compensation policies apply equally to known and unknown donors.

9. Do the new compensation policies apply to both private and NHS centres?

Yes. The compensation policies apply equally to both NHS and private centres.

10. Do the new compensation policies apply to gametes or embryos donated for research?

Yes. The new compensation policies apply to gametes and embryos donated for both treatment and research purposes.

11. I have a donor who is in the middle of their course or cycle of donation on 1 April 2012. Can I compensate them under the new system?

If a sperm donor is in the middle of their course of donation, they may be compensated £35 for each clinic visit on or after 1 April 2012. Centres should not retrospectively compensate donors for clinic visits before this date.

Egg donors who have not yet completed their cycle of donation on 1 April 2012 may be compensated £750 according to the new policy. However, any expenses and loss of earnings already paid to the donor in the same cycle should be deducted from this amount.

12. Does the new compensation system coming into force on 1 April apply to compensation for imported gametes?

No. The policy on compensation for imported gametes is not changing; the new rules introduced on 1 April do not apply. See the revised General Directions 0001 for further information.

Further information

For further information please see the Chair’s letter sent to centres on 28 January 2012:
http://www.hfea.gov.uk/6966.html

To view the Revised General Directions 0001 coming into force on 1 April 2012, please see here:
http://www.hfea.gov.uk/docs/2011-12-21_-_Direction_0001_-_Gamete_and_Embryo_donation.pdf

Page last updated: 27 February 2012