Fertility clinic remains under investigation over embryo loss, with licence suspended until August

The suspension of Homerton Fertility Clinic’s licence has been extended until August while investigations continue regarding the loss of some embryos. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) initially suspended the clinic’s licence in March after reports of a higher-than-usual number of frozen embryos not surviving the thawing process. The HFEA’s licence committee met on Thursday to review the situation and decided to maintain the suspension until further investigations are complete.

HFEA Chief Executive Peter Thompson stated, “The Committee decided that the Homerton Fertility Clinic’s licence should remain suspended until August, while investigations continue. The clinic remains under enhanced regulatory oversight, and the HFEA will not lift the suspension until we are certain that patients can be treated safely.” He emphasised that while serious incidents in fertility clinics are rare, they are taken very seriously, particularly as they involve sensitive patient outcomes.

The initial suspension followed what the HFEA described as “serious untoward incidents,” including reports of embryos not surviving thawing at higher rates than expected. One patient, identified only as Sarah, shared her distress with BBC News, revealing that two of her embryos had not survived the process and expressing concern about a lack of communication from the clinic.

Despite the suspension, the clinic continues to provide care for patients already undergoing IVF treatment, although new treatments have been put on hold. The clinic has assured patients that they have received letters outlining the situation and have been offered free counselling services.