09 August 2018
CH(18)04
On 1 October 2018, we will publish a new edition to the Code of Practice that will change several ‘guidance notes’ and General Directions 0011. I am writing to inform you about these changes. Details of the changes are set out in the following annexes:
- Annex I: Summary of changes included in the October 2018 update
- Annex II: Updated ‘Revision control sheet’ (lists all updated areas of the Code of Practice)
- Annex III: Changes to Code of Practice guidance notes
- Annex IV: Changes to General Directions
NOTE: all changes set out in yellow in Annexes II-IV are to be removed; changes set out in red are additions.
This new edition includes revisions to the following areas of guidance:
- leadership
- patient support
- information provision to patients
- implications of treatment and consent
- counselling
- extension of storage
- consent
- surrogacy
- screening
- egg sharing
- OHSS
- data protection
- import and export of gametes
- Single European Code
- data submission
- corrections, clarifications and minor amendments.
When will the changes come into effect?
We are previewing all upcoming changes for your information via August 2018’s edition of Clinic Focus. These changes will come into effect on 1 October 2018, when the revised guidance and General Directions will be updated on the Knowledge Base of the HFEA Clinic Portal and website.
What should you do now?
A summary of all changes in this update are listed at Annex I, while changes to the Code of Practice and General Directions are listed at Annexes III and IV, respectively. Please read the updated areas and make sure that you and your colleagues are familiar with any changes that may be relevant to your clinic. If you have any questions, please contact your inspector.
Yours sincerely
Sally Cheshire
Chair, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority