London hospital apologizes after frozen eggs from 136 women were damaged
A major hospital in London has apologized to more than 100 women after their eggs and embryos were likely damaged during the freezing process at the NHS-run clinic.
Guy’s hospital contacted the 136 women after discovering it may have accidentally used some bottles of defective freezing solution in September and October 2022.
However, the clinic said it was not aware at the time that the fluid was defective.
A spokesperson for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation said the production issue could negatively impact the survival rate of frozen eggs or embryos during thawing.
The spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a production issue with some solution bottles that may have been used to freeze eggs and embryos in our assisted conception unit in September and October 2022.”
Guy’s hospital has contacted those affected and apologized for the delay and inconvenience the error may have caused.
According to the BBC, it is believed that many of the women affected subsequently underwent cancer treatment, which may have prevented them from becoming pregnant with their own eggs.
The Human Fertilization & Embryology Authority (HFEA) said a safety alert about the defective freezing solution was issued to all registered clinics in February 2023. A hospital spokesperson said the assisted conception unit used the solution in September and October 2022.
The HFEA’s director of compliance and information, Rachel Cutting, described the situation as “ongoing” at the assisted conception unit at Guy’s and St Thomas, and an investigation is currently underway.
“We will take any further action necessary as a result of this investigation, in accordance with our standard incident process,” she said.
“We are aware that this affected product may have been distributed to other UK clinics, although the HFEA is currently not aware of any other approved clinic where patients have been affected.”
HFEA advised any fertility patients concerned that the problem may have affected their frozen eggs or embryos to contact their relevant clinics.
Cutting said further action would be taken to ensure an error like this does not happen again.
“The HFEA is investigating incidents at clinics to ensure that every effort is made to understand what went wrong and, crucially, to take steps to ensure it does not happen again,” she said.
“We also share knowledge and inform other clinics of possible problems.”
Guy’s hospital has set up a dedicated telephone line for all affected patients.
The clinic also said those affected can seek support through its counseling service.