BFS Response to High Court Ruling in Leeds IVF mix-up case
February 2003 The British Fertility Society is
pleased that a decision has been reached which will allow all those
involved in this difficult case to come to terms with the problems
they have faced. We would like to express our sympathy to all those
involved. As providers of assisted conception treatment to thousands
of couples each year, we are aware of the anguish and heartache
associated with infertility. Assisted conception can bring great
joy to families, and errors are extremely rare. Systems of risk
management continue to be refined in the light of these distressing
recent events but patients should be reassured that with over 25000
treatments performed and over 7000 babies born from IVF per year
in the UK incidents such as occurred in Leeds are exceedingly rare.
Dr Alison Murdoch, Chair of the British Fertility Society stated:
"Our sympathy goes out to all those involved in this case.
Where errors occur we must learn from them, and as a matter of policy
IVF units are continually reviewing their procedures to ensure that
mistakes are not repeated."
For more information: please contact the British Fertility Society press office
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