Join our Patient Engagement Forum

As the UK fertility regulator, we make sure fertility clinics and research centres comply with the law. A key element of our work is to provide free, clear, and impartial information about the various types of fertility treatment available at UK clinics.

However, we know that people’s experiences of fertility treatment differ based on their individual circumstances, and it’s crucial that this is considered as part of our work. That’s why we established the Patient Engagement Forum (PEF) in 2021 – to inform what we do, complement our Patient Organisation Stakeholder Group (POSG), and give you a voice.

What is the Patient Engagement Forum?

The Patient Engagement Forum is made up of a pool of people, including patients, partners, surrogates, intended parents, donors, donor-conceived people and parents of donor conceived people.

As a member of the Patient Engagement Forum, you’ll get the opportunity to share your views and experiences with us on certain topics, and even get involved creating content or speaking at events, if that’s something you’re interested in.

Over the last two years, our current PEF Members have participated in several activities, including:

• Online focus groups
• Snap polls and surveys
• Blogging for our website
• Providing a patient voice at events

How does the Patient Engagement Forum work?

Anyone who has completed the application form, and fulfils the joining criteria, will be added to our PEF contact list.

Depending on your areas of interest, we may contact you with relevant opportunities for you to get involved in. This may include, but is not limited to, taking part in an online survey, telephone research, or webinars.

As a member of the Patient Engagement Forum, we will keep you up to date with relevant opportunities for you to get involved in our work through regular newsletters over email.

Who can join the Patient Engagement Forum?

We’re particularly interested in hearing from underrepresented groups, such as those from the LGBTQ+ community, individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds and those living outside of London, to ensure the views and experiences of all fertility patients in the UK are reflected.

Patients and their partners

Patients and/or their partners, who would like to join the Patient Engagement Forum, need to have undergone fertility treatment in the UK during one of the following time frames:

• Planning to undergo, or considering treatment, in the next 12 months
• Currently in treatment
• Had treatment in the last five years

These time frames are set to ensure that the experiences and feedback we receive are representative of the current fertility sector.

Donor conceived people, parents of donor conceived people, and donors

The Patient Engagement Forum is open to UK donors who donated eggs, sperm or embryos after 1991, as well as donor conceived people, who were born after 1991, including their parents.

Surrogacy

UK surrogates, as well as intended parents, can join the Patient Engagement Forum if their treatment has taken place in the UK in the last five years, or is taking place in the next 12 months.