Adverse events occur in less than one percent of UK fertility treatments

The number of incidents reported by UK fertility clinics increased last year but remain low, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) reports.

The HFEA's Fertility Sector 2024/25 report provides an overview of the regulator's work over the last year. According to the report, the number of incidents in UK clinics increased 36 percent from 2023/24 to 2024/25. However, incidents occurred in less than one percent of the over 100,000 fertility treatment cycles which took place in licensed clinics last year. None of the reported incidents were in the most serious category (grade A), and the majority of the increase comprised incidents of the least serious category (grade C).

'Patients can be reassured that fertility treatment in UK licensed clinics remains very safe. We know from our recent National Patient Survey and the feedback we receive on our website that most people are satisfied with their treatment,' said Peter Thompson, chief executive of the HFEA. 'Incidents in fertility clinics are rare... but any incident is distressing for the people involved. The HFEA takes incidents very seriously, sharing learning with clinics so they can ensure incidents do not happen again.'

UK clinics are legally obliged to inform the regulator of any incidents. The HFEA suggested that the overall rise in reported incidents could be due to clinics following previous advice from the regulator about improving diligent reporting, and noted that prompt reporting was a positive sign of responsibility within the sector.

Grade C incidents increased by 53 percent on the previous year, and just over a third of these were clinic administration incidents, such as emails being sent to the wrong patient. The HFEA's National Patient Survey 2024, published earlier this year, identified treatment administration as an area for improvement.

Thompson commented: 'We recognise the impact that clinic administration incidents can have on patients, and we are raising this as an area of improvement for clinics, so patients have a positive experience of treatment.'

Interest in egg donation has increased over the last year, according to the report. Any cycle of egg collection carries the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) which can occur as a result of clinical stimulation of ovulation. However, the report states that there were no reported cases of OHSS in egg donors over the last year.

Sarah Norcross, director of PET (the Progress Education Trust), said: 'PET is pleased to see that the number of cases of OHSS has not increased and that none of these cases occurred in women donating their eggs'.

The findings shed light on the important issue of patient safety and satisfaction in a sector which serves a large number of patients, as IVF now accounts for one in 32 births in the UK (see BioNews 1295).