Over 100 women affected by manufacturing fault at top UK fertility clinic

136 women have been told after a year-long delay that their frozen eggs or embryos held at one of the UK’s top fertility clinics “may not survive the thawing process”. The unit at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust recently told patients it had been made aware of a manufacturing issue with the solution used to freeze eggs and embryos over September and October 2022. That delay is critical. Some of the women contacted have since undergone cancer treatment, including hysterectomies, meaning they would be unable to go through replacement egg freezing. One woman affected told the Times that the fact they had been sitting on the information for a year was “horrifying” – the clinic became aware of the issue in March 2023. Guys have apologised for the distress caused and have said they will provide counselling to those impacted. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates fertility treatment, has said it is investigating the incident.