HFEA visits Bourn Hall, “home of IVF”

Sally Cheshire is Chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which is the independent regulator for the UK’s IVF clinics.

She comments: “At the HFEA we want everyone affected by assisted reproduction to get the best possible care,

“Bourn Hall has been at the forefront of high quality care since it’s founders helped create the first IVF baby Louise Brown nearly 40 years ago.

“Its consistently excellent inspection reports show that it has maintained that standard ever since, and it was a pleasure meeting the staff today, touring the centre, and hearing about the clinic’s plans for the future.”

The HFEA licenses fertility clinics and centres carrying out in vitro fertilisation (IVF), other assisted conception procedures and human embryo research.

HFEA visits Bourn Hall

Sally and Peter Thompson, HFEA Chief Executive, have visited about 10 clinics so far and are keen to meet staff and share good ideas and best practice.

Dr Mike Macnamee, CEO of Bourn Hall, worked with IVF pioneers Steptoe and Edwards in the early days of the clinic as a young researcher and he was delighted to give a tour of the clinic including the study where Steptoe worked and the embryology lab which has seen many world firsts.

He says: “It is always good to put faces to names and it was great to have the opportunity to meet Sally and Peter informally in this way.”

If you are unable to play the video above you can view it on YouTube here.

Peter Thompson and Sally Cheshire from the HFEA meet Mike Macnamee of Bourn Hall Clinic