To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many human embryos were (a) lost, (b) damaged and (c) destroyed due to accidents at fertility clinics in each year since 2000; what steps he has (i) taken and (ii) plans to take to prevent such accidents; what guidance on the matter he has (A) issued and (B) plans to issue in the next 12 months to fertility clinics; and if he will make a statement. (190791)

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has informed the Department that it does not require clinics to submit the information requested as part of its routine data collection. However, incidents involving loss, damage or accidental destruction of embryos should be notified to the HFEA in accordance with the requirement to report adverse incidents that occur in licensed establishments.

The HFEA uses the adverse incident reporting system to help clinics learn from mistakes and to develop control measures to reduce the risk of incidents reoccurring. Information about risk control measures is issued to clinics in the form of HFEA alerts and patient safety notices. Past alerts have included guidance on transportation of embryos and associated risks and risks involving power supply and critical equipment. The HFEA’s Code of Practice also makes clear that where adverse incidents occur, clinics are expected to review relevant procedures to minimise the risk of any reoccurrence of the incident and inform the HFEA of the revised procedures.

The HFEA has advised the Department that it intends to continue the development of its systems for improving risk management in clinics and dissemination of critical information in response to individual incidents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many births were the result of IVF or donor insemination between 2002 and 2007. (191285)

The information requested is shown in the following table.