The Homerton Fertility Centre, located in East London, has had its licence suspended after errors in the embryo freezing process resulted in the loss of a number of embryos. The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) ordered the suspension until May, citing patient safety concerns. These errors were identified in incidents occurring over the past year, leading to some embryos not surviving or becoming undetectable upon thawing.

Louise Ashley, Chief Executive of Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, apologized to those affected, emphasizing the distress caused by these errors. Despite the suspension, the clinic will continue to store all existing eggs, embryos, and sperm, and patients currently undergoing treatment cycles will be allowed to complete them. The clinic has now implemented changes to enhance security and monitoring, including protocols requiring staff to work in pairs during clinical activities.

The HFEA and the clinic are investigating the incidents, and a helpline has been established for patients seeking more information or expressing concerns. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police confirmed their attendance at the clinic following concerns raised; however, they noted that there is no ongoing police investigation related to this matter.

Homerton Fertility Centre serves both NHS and private patients and has taken immediate action to address the issues identified, aiming to ensure such errors are not repeated in the future.