HFEA launches National Patient Survey

The survey will explore the patient experience, from accessing GP services through to patients’ most recent fertility treatment. The HFEA is asking patients to help identify how the experience of fertility treatment in the UK has changed since our last national survey in 2021.

The survey will cover the use of donor eggs, sperm, and embryos, as well as questions around tests, treatments, and technologies. The HFEA will use the results to shape our work so that we can continue to ensure high-quality care for everyone using the UK’s fertility services.

Julia Chain, HFEA Chair, said:

“Fertility treatment has progressed rapidly since the HFEA was established more than 30 years ago, with around 100,000 cycles now being carried out each year. Treatments themselves are changing at pace, which is why it is crucial for us to regularly gain an understanding of the patient experience.

“Our most recent Fertility Trends report found that the average age of first-time fertility patients is now over 35 years old, and that more single patients and patients in female same-sex relationships are using fertility treatment than ever before. We also know that there are still disparities in treatment for Black, Asian, and ethnic minority patients, so it is particularly important that we hear from these patient groups to ensure our results are representative of the country’s fertility population.

“If you are having fertility treatment of any sort in the UK, then we want to hear about your experiences.”

The HFEA survey is open from 2 September to 2 October to all patients, surrogates and intended parents through surrogacy who are currently undergoing treatment, or who have had treatment in the last five years.

For more information or for interviews with a HFEA spokesperson, please contact press.office@hfea.gov.uk or call 020 7291 8226.

For out of hours requests, please contact the duty press officer on 07771 981920.

About the HFEA

• The HFEA is the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment and research using human embryos.
• Set up in 1990 by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, the HFEA is responsible for licensing, monitoring, and inspecting fertility clinics - and taking enforcement action where necessary - to ensure everyone accessing fertility treatment receives high quality care.
• The HFEA is an ‘arm’s length body’ of the Department for Health and Social Care, working independently from Government providing free, clear, and impartial information about fertility treatment, clinics and egg, sperm and embryo donation.
• The HFEA collects and verifies data on all treatments that take place in UK licensed clinics which can support scientific developments and research and service planning and delivery.
• Around 4,100 children in the UK are born each year through the help of a donor (2019). The HFEA holds records of all donors and children born since 1991.
• The HFEA is funded by licence fees, IVF treatment fees and a small grant from UK central government. For more information, visit hfea.gov.uk.