The UK fertility watchdog has launched a new patient engagement forum and wants you to join
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority(HFEA) works to make sure fertility and research clinics comply with UK law.
One of their key aims is to provide free, clear, and impartial information about the various types of fertility treatment available at UK clinics.
It has decided to set up the forum to gain people’s personal experiences of how fertility treatments may differ across the UK, based on their individual circumstances.
An HFEA spokeswoman said: “We recognise that people’s experiences with fertility treatment differ. That’s why we are establishing the Patient Engagement Forum.”
What is the Patient Engagement Forum?
The Patient Engagement Forum will be made up of a pool of people including patients, partners, donors, donor-conceived people, and parents of donor-conceived people, whose views and experiences will help to shape the work and information of the HFEA produce. Members will get the opportunity to share their views and experiences on certain topics.
How will the Patient Engagement Forum work?
Anyone who has completed the application form, and fulfills the joining criteria, will be added to the Patient Engagement contact list.
Depending on your areas of interest, they may contact you with relevant opportunities for you to get involved. This may include but is not limited to taking part in an online survey, telephone research, or webinars.
You will be kept up to date with relevant opportunities for you to get involved in by way of regular emails.
Who can join the Patient Engagement Forum?
The HFEA is 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/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 relate to recent fertility treatment experiences.
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.
To find out more and join the patient forum, click here.
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