How to choose a fertility clinic?

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Mr Rehan Salim, Medical Director, Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital

Choosing a fertility clinic from the growing list of options can be a challenge. However, as with any other decision on healthcare, it comes down to two important factors; namely the team looking after you and the facility. Pregnancy rates are also helpful but can vary widely as some clinics can be more selective in whom they will treat and so can have a better looking pregnancy rate than reality.

HFEA regulation has meant that it is, in general, difficult to be a poorly performing clinic. Many of these are picked up and acted upon. HFEA regulation also means that, in general, the standard at most clinics is high and the treatment safe.

The team is one of the most important factors that you should consider. Clinic websites often have extensive descriptions on expertise but the reality is that most of this is self-certification rather than reality. In the UK, to be a consultant in a medical speciality, the doctor must be on the GMC specialist register as a minimum. It is always important, therefore, to confirm the credentials of your treating doctor on the GMC website and confirm that they are on the specialist register. Being on this register means that they will have satisfied UK training requirements to be a consultant. You may be surprised to find that many clinics have very few actual consultants on their staff list. Embryologists and nurses should, similarly, also carry appropriate registration from their professional bodies.

The facility itself is also important. Whilst IVF is generally a safe procedure, like all medical procedures it carries risks. The clinic should be transparent on how these risks are managed. Can all risks be managed onsite or will you need to be sent to an NHS hospital if a problem arises?

In these terms IVF is no different to any other medical treatment. You would not, for example, do any operation in a facility that is not able to manage all aspects of you care and by appropriately trained staff would you?

Finally, the relationship and fit for each patient between clinic and patient can vary. We all have differing views and approaches and you must be comfortable that you are being listened to and that you understand why something is being recommended. If not, you must feel that you are in a clinic that encourages you to ask questions and the responds promptly.