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      UK Government announce that Fertility Clinics can apply to reopen

      11 May 2020 by Charlotte Knappett

      Charlotte Knappett
      fertility clinic

      On 15th April 2020, the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) ordered that both NHS and Private IVF clinics were to halt fertility treatment due to the Coronavirus.

      On 23rd March 2020 Sally Cheshire, the Chair of the HFEA, had written an open letter to fertility patients addressing concerns about treatment during this time of the pandemic. She confirmed that clinics had been advised to stop their treatment over the following three weeks, allowing patients to complete any cycle that they had started.

      HFEA statistics report that in 2017 65, 087 treatment cycles took place in England alone. There were 91 clinics providing fertility treatment in the UK, to include 78 in England, 6 in Scotland, 4 in Wales, and 4 in Northern Ireland. The closure of fertility clinics will have a significant impact on many people’s lives.

      In good news, the Government has now announced that fertility clinics are able to apply to reopen from 11th May. The Health Minister made the announcement during the daily press briefing on the Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic on 1st May.

      The Health Minister confirmed that now we are past peak he was able to announce the restoration of fertility services. The Government wished to open the clinics as soon as it was safe to do.

      What is the COVID-19 Treatment Commencement Strategy?

      The approval of the HFEA must be obtained to reopen and commence treatment. The clinic is required to submit a written COVID-19 Treatment Commencement Strategy which sets out how they propose to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

      Full details of what the Treatment Commencement strategy will need to cover are available here.

      The delay in treatment may well result in some patients not meeting the NHS age requirements. However, it is understood some clinical commissioning groups have agreed to extend the time limit by six months. You would need to contact your local clinical commissioning group or liaise with your fertility clinic for more information.

      For legal advice in relation to fertility and surrogacy during the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact Fisher Jones Greenwood on 01206 700113 or email [email protected]

      The UK Government also announced the extension to the storage of eggs, sperms, and embryos, read more here.

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      Fisher Jones Greenwood is the trading name of Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP, a Limited Liability Partnership authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and registered in England ( Number: OC305854 ). A list of members is available for inspection at the registered office at Charter Court, Newcomen Way, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 9YA

      We are open for business and working remotely

      Here at Fisher Jones Greenwood Solicitors we would like to reassure all our existing and future clients that even in these uncertain and difficult times we are able to assist you with your current and future legal requirements.

      Like so many others, we are constantly monitoring and acting on Government advice and guidelines and as such our offices are temporarily closed to the public. You may, if you wish, visit our offices to post any correspondence and documents through letter boxes.

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      Please do not hesitate to contact your legal adviser by email or by telephone should you have any worries or concerns. Alternatively, please call our main switchboard number (01206 835300) and a message to return your call will be by relayed to the relevant person.

      Finally, everyone at FJG would like to wish you, your families and your colleagues well throughout this current crisis.

      Best wishes
      Paula Cameron
      Managing Partner