Anyone who has frozen their eggs, sperm and embryos will be able
to extend their storage for an additional 2 years under new
government plans to support those going through fertility
treatment during the global coronavirus pandemic.
To support wider changes to the health service in responding to
the pandemic, fertility treatment in the UK across the NHS and
private sector was temporarily paused earlier this month.
In recognition of the potential impact this may have on those
wishing to start a family, the government has confirmed that the
current 10-year storage limit for embryos and gametes will be
extended by 2 years to enable sufficient time for fertility
treatment to resume.
Currently the storage period for embryos and gametes is limited
to a maximum of 10 years, after which people must choose whether
to undergo fertility treatment or have their frozen eggs, sperm
and embryos destroyed.
Health Minister, ,
said:
Many people rely on fertility treatment as their only hope to
start a family and the current pandemic means some will have to
put their hopes on hold.
We are taking steps to ensure during these extraordinary times,
those that have embryos, sperm or eggs stored as part of their
treatment are not unfairly caught out by the existing storage
limits and have the best possible opportunity to start their
family in the future.
I know for some people the pausing of services will be
extremely worrying and we are constantly assessing when it will
be appropriate to commence fertility services again while
balancing the pressures of the pandemic on our NHS and
workforce.
Sally Cheshire, Chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology
Authority, said:
We welcome today’s announcement from the DHSC. We have been
working together to ensure those patients who have stored
sperm, eggs or embryos that are reaching the 10-year storage
limit are not penalised by the current suspension of fertility
treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We know this is a difficult and distressing time for all
patients, so this decision brings good news for those who are
reaching the 10-year storage limit. It provides them with
some much-needed reassurance and most importantly gives more
time to try for their much longed for family.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority will be issuing
new guidance to fertility clinics across the UK to support them
in implementing the new storage limit extension.
Freezing and storing sperm, eggs and embryos are becoming more
frequent with patients choosing to do so for various reasons.
These may include that:
- they are not ready to have a family but want to preserve
their fertility so that they can start a family later in life
- they are having cancer treatment that may affect their
fertility and wish to protect and preserve their future fertility
- they may be planning on transitioning or having gender
reassignment surgery but intend to start a family later
- they have several good embryos as part of their treatment
cycle and store these for future treatment use
- Earlier in the year, the government launched a consultation
for views on whether the current law to store their frozen eggs,
sperm and embryos for 10 years should change.
- Currently the storage period is limited to a maximum of 10
years and only those stored for medical reasons, such as cancer
treatment, and premature infertility can be preserved for longer
– up to 55 years in total. The consultation will also consider
arguments about whether women are disproportionately affected by
the current time limit.
- The consultation continues until 5 May to
consider whether the limit should
be extended in line with significant improvements in freezing
technologies.
