Homerton Fertility Clinic’s suspension has been extended by the regulator

The license suspension of a controversial fertility clinic has been extended amid investigation into the loss of some embryos.

The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) initially suspended Homerton Fertility Clinic’s license in March and its licensing board met on Thursday to review the matter.

Peter Thompson, CEO of the HFEA, said: “The committee has decided that Homerton Fertility Clinic’s license should remain suspended until August while investigations continue. “We are confident patients can be treated safely. “Serious incidents in fertility clinics in the UK are rare, but each one is distressing for the patients affected, which is why we take them very seriously.” The HFEA investigates what clinics do in response to incidents to ensure everything is done to prevent them to understand what went wrong and, most importantly, to take action to ensure that something like this does not happen again. “The British model of fertility clinic regulation is internationally respected. Through specific legislation, establishing best practice through our Code of Conduct and sharing incident intelligence, the HFEA promotes safe practices to minimize the risk of incidents.”

The first suspension came after the regulator expressed “significant concerns” about “serious adverse events,” including reports that more frozen embryos than usual did not survive thawing.

One patient, known only as Sarah, told the BBC she was told two of her embryos did not survive thawing. She told BBC News it was “worrying” that patients had been “left in the dark”.

The clinic is still working with patients who have already started their IVF treatment, but others have been excluded from starting treatment.

It said all patients had received letters and been offered free advice.