The HFEA debate

I was really sorry to have to miss the recent debate organised by Progress Educational Trust on the future of the HFEA, and so was pleased to find a write up of the evening in this week's edition of Bionews.  It was clearly a lively and interesting debate - it may only be a snapshot view but it's interesting that those working in fertility clinics seemed keenest to be rid of the HFEA, while those on the outside were keener for it to remain.  I'd be the first to agree that streamlining and change are both necessary, but it's far too easy to focus on the negatives and to forget all of the good work that the HFEA has done and continues to do.

One of the speakers apparently claimed that people were travelling overseas for treatment because of over-regulation by the HFEA in the UK.  Having spoken to many people who've opted to have treatment abroad, I can't remember hearing one of them mention "over-regulation" as an issue - excessive costs and waiting lists were more likely to come up as reasons for having treatment abroad, as well as higher success rates in some other places and being treated as an equal by consultants.

Sadly the one thing that wasn't mentioned in the reporting of the evening was patient information, and I don't know whether this cropped up at all.  For most fertility patients, information provision is one of the most important functions of the HFEA.  It's the publication of success rates, the reliable information about new treatments and the calm response to fertility scare stories that is so vital - and yet it seems to be the one thing that most of the experts discussing this seem to entirely overlook.

The FertilIty Show

It's nearly that time of year again... I've just been sent posters and flyers for The Fertility Show, which this year runs over the weekend of November 3 and 4 at London's Olympia.  Promising to be a bigger event than ever before, there's an impressive range of speakers lined up covering pretty much everything you could want to know about fertility from the absolute basics to the latest new techniques in IVF.  The seminars also take in many related issues including complementary therapies, surrogacy, treatment for single women and lesbian couples, the male perspective, adoption, fostering, treatment abroad and help and support too.

This year there are around 100 exhibitors too, giving you a chance to talk to staff from fertility clinics around the world as well as complementary therapists, legal firms and support networks. The Fertility Show gathers together leading experts in the field along with a wide range of specialists all under one roof for one weekend - and provides an ideal opportunity to learn more in a supportive environment.

I know it's not always easy to get your head around going to a "show" about fertility when it can be hard to talk about the subject to your closest friends and family, but one of the real benefits of the weekend is being in one place with so many other people who know exactly how you're feeling - although infertility affects one in six of the population, it doesn't always feel that way when you're in the middle of it all.  

Take a look at the website - www.fertilityshow.co.uk- and see what you think. I'll be there on the Saturday, talking about how to choose a fertility clinic and chairing a question session with overseas clinics - so come along and say hello1