IVF clinic investigated over possible damaged eggs

Over 100 patients of a leading clinic who had eggs and embryos frozen have been told they may have been damaged due to a fault in the freezing process.

The clinic at Guy’s Hospital in London said it may have mistakenly used some bottles of a faulty freezing solution in September and October 2022, adding that it did not know the liquid was defective at the time.

A patient at a second clinic Jessop Fertility in Sheffield, has also been affected.

The fertility industry regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) said it believes the faulty batch was only distributed to these two clinics.

It is believed that many of the patients affected have had cancer treatment since having their eggs or embryos frozen, which may have left them infertile, meaning they may not be able to conceive with their own eggs.

Sarah Norcross, director of charity Progress Educational Trust, said it would be “distressing” for those affected.

“If women affected by this incident have undergone medical treatment which has compromised their fertility, then their opportunity to have a biologically related child may have been lost.

“If women affected by this incident had sought to extend their reproductive choices by freezing their eggs, then they too may have lost their best opportunity to have a family, if the quality of their eggs has declined during the period that has elapsed.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s Legal 500 recommended West Yorkshire medical negligence solicitors, have over 20 years of experience and specialist expertise in medical negligence investigations and claims, supporting injured clients and their families through the legal process and helping them obtain answers, justice and compensation after life-changing events.  We have offices in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Halifax, Leeds, Bradford and Morley and represent clients locally and nationally.

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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