After a series of scandals in the UK fertility industry, an official review of the conduct of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has highlighted several recent blunders by clinics. The report stated that the HFEA did not conduct enough unannounced inspections – most were pre-planned. The report strongly recommended that the HFEA use the full extent of its powers, including, where necessary, stripping a clinic of its operating licence.

In some cases, it said, “There appears to be a reluctance to utilise the full spectrum of sanctions for fear of negative impact on availability of treatment. For example, staff reported to the Review Team a reluctance to recommend that the licence of a clinic in a remote area be suspended for fear that patients would have to travel further afield to receive treatment. ”

The report also warned that the HFEA had to “remain vigilant” to avoid getting too cosy with the organisations it regulates. “As with any regulator there is always a danger that, if left unmonitored, this relationship could drift and lead stakeholders to question the regulator’s independence, objectivity and consistency.”

The review was carried out by the Better Regulation Executive which scrutinises regulators as part of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

Guy Forster, a renowned medical negligence lawyer, has represented a number of couples affected by mix-ups and blunders. As reported in BioEdge in November, several batches of donated sperm from one clinic possessed a severe genetic abnormality. Forster told the Independent that he had "been concerned with the quality of inspections and how rigorous they are. Inspections are there to root out problems, and they are just not doing that." He said that if a "much firmer line” was taken with clinics where there have been issues, “other clinics would be much more likely to pay attention to the importance of risk management." ~ Independent (UK) Dec 6; London Telegraph Dec 7; HFEA Hampton Review Report