Cambridge IVF has become one of the first clinics in the country to be given the green light to fully restart fertility services – to the huge relief of patients.
The clinic, which is part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has been given permission to undertake full In Vitro Fertilisation treatment by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
The service, which showed inspectors it is complying with tough new HFEA regulations, will look very different to patients with staff wearing PPE and social distancing in place.
Patients who visit the clinic in Maris Lane, Trumpington, will be asked to wait in their vehicles and will be called in when staff are ready to begin their tests or treatment.
Consultant embryologist, Stephen Harbottle, a former chair of the Association of Clinical Embryologists and former Chair of the Association of Biomedical Andrologists, said he was delighted with the decision.
For patients who have reduced and deteriorating fertility the suspension of IVF treatment has been really challenging, as they have been facing the worry that they could be losing their chance to conceive.
We are working to current best practice guidance and amending our practice dynamically as new recommendations and guidelines are made available.
A letter from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to the clinic said: “By putting in place stringent safe working practices we hope both you and your patients stay safe and well.”
Anyone who wants more information about Cambridge IVF, which was the only clinic in the area which maintained a reduced level of other fertility services since the lockdown, should visit www.cambridge-ivf.org.uk