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28 June 2012

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the UK regulator of IVF and embryo research, has today welcomed the release of the Department of Health’s consultation document on the proposed transfer of its functions to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Health Research Authority (HRA). The transfer is being proposed as a contribution to the government’s plan to cut NHS administrative costs by more than a third by 2015.

For over 20 years the HFEA’s regulation of assisted reproduction in the UK has helped build the confidence and trust of patients and the public at large in this ethically and clinically sensitive area. We provide impartial, evidence-based and authoritative information to the public; and our system for regulating both NHS and private fertility clinics and all research involving human embryos is replicated widely in other countries.

Since the government’s proposal to transfer IVF regulation to the CQC and the HRA was first announced in July 2010, the HFEA has significantly cut its costs and expenditure. This has enabled us to reduce our treatment fees by 25% while still ensuring that high standards of clinic inspection and patient protection across NHS and private clinics are maintained, and so is public confidence.

Chair of the HFEA, Professor Lisa Jardine, said:

“In spite of its increasingly widespread use, IVF remains a sensitive matter for patients who are trying for a much-wanted child, and for the general public.  I believe that the public confidence which allows Britain to be at the forefront of this rapidly developing field depends on careful regulation by an expert public body.” 

“I have stated publicly on a number of occasions that I recognise the government’s right to try to reduce the number of Arms Length Bodies and to cut costs. We are playing our part by making significant reductions in our expenditure. There is always room for improvement and we continue to ensure that our regulation is fair and thorough without being overly bureaucratic.”

“I have yet to be persuaded that the alternatives to the HFEA currently under discussion will maintain the trust of public and patients that has been built up over the last 20 years by having a dedicated expert regulator.”

The HFEA will be responding to the consultation.

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Notes to editors

• A copy of the consultation, accompanying consultation impact assessment and consultation equality analysis can be found at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/06/consultation-regulators/
• The HFEA is the independent regulator for IVF treatment and embryo research. Our role is to protect patients and the public interest, to drive improvement in the treatment and research sectors and to provide information to the public and policymakers about treatment and research.
• The HFEA was set up in August 1991 as part of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.  The HFEA’s principal tasks are to license and monitor clinics that carry out in vitro fertilisation (IVF), artificial insemination (AI) and human embryo research. The HFEA also regulates the storage of gametes (eggs and sperm) and embryos. See www.hfea.gov.uk for further details.
• The HFEA has significantly reduced its costs and expenditure over the last two years, for example:
  • Total expenditure is reduced by 20% (from £8m in 2010/11 to £6.1m in 2012/13
  • Public subsidy to the HFEA (in the form of Grant-in-Aid from the DH) is down by 33%
  • Staff numbers have been reduced by 15%
  • The HFEA has moved to the CQC to share offices and other support services

For further information please contact the HFEA press office on 020 7291 8226 or email press.office@hfea.gov.uk

Page last updated: 28 June 2012

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