E-newsletters

Issue No. 11 - November 2008

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We hope you find this interesting and informative. If you have any feedback about the content of this newsletter, please email hfeaeupdate@hfea.gov.uk 
 

Latest from the HFEA

HFEA public meetings ? programme details now available

The HFEA is consulting with patients and clinicians about changes to its Code of Practice, consent forms and the way it presents information about clinics.

We are very keen for as many people as possible to come along to one of our following public meetings:

Manchester - Wednesday 14th January 2009 at the City Inn Manchester, One Piccadilly Place, 1 Auburn Street, M1 3DG.
London (focusing on PGD only) - Monday 26th January 2009 at the NCVO, The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Regent's Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, N1 9RL.
Bristol - Thursday 29th January 2009 at the Watershed Media Centre, 1 Canon's Road, BS1 5TX.
London - Wednesday 11th February 2009 at Prospero House (etc.venues), 241 Borough High Street, SE1 1GA.

The meetings will involve the HFEA listening to the views of stakeholders on the draft new Code of Practice, how we can present information better about clinics, revised consent forms and new approaches to regulating clinics.

Register or find out more about the programme and venue details.

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Have your say on HFEA consent forms

Receiving valuable feedback from patients is a priority for us and we´re holding an informal evening event on 19 January 2009 in central London to look at the consent forms that patients and donors need to complete before their eggs, sperm or embryos can be used or stored.

As part of the feedback, participants will try out a sample of our forms. There will be HFEA staff on hand to answer questions.

Participants will also be asked for their views on whether they are easy to complete and understand. This will help us to ensure they are created in a user-friendly format and cover all foreseeable scenarios.

Those who take part will be offered an incentive in recognition of the time given up to help us. To find out more and to register please email joanne.anton@hfea.gov.uk

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Information about clinics ? last chance to tell us what you think

We want as many clinics and other stakeholders to tell us what they think about how best to present clinic performance and outcome data to help inform patient choice, promote good clinical practice and support HFEA policies.

Our online questionnaire closes on 15 December ? tell us what you think now.

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Department of Health announces April 2009 start date on parenthood provisions

 The Government has announced the implementation of the parenthood provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 on 6 April 2009. This is to ensure these provisions are in line with existing equality legislation as soon as possible.

HFEA will ensure that it helps clinics prepare for implementation, for example by producing information for patients.

To help with the smooth transition to the new provisions, we urge stakeholders to respond as soon as possible to the consultation on the HFEA consent forms, to allow the HFEA to issue the new consent forms and guidance to clinics in good time before the 6 April.

However, the consultation will remain open for comment until the closing date of 18 February 2009.

 

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