The welfare of the child - information for patients

Why must the Centre consider the 'Welfare of the Child'?
All treatments, such as IVF or treatments involving donor sperm or eggs have to comply with the Human Fertilisation and Emryology Act 1990 (HFE Act) and are licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). The law requires us 'to consider the welfare of any child born as a result of treatment (including the need of that child for a father), and of any other existing child who may be affected by the birth'.

How are patients assessed?
Many factors need to be taken into consideration, including who would be legally responsible for any child born as a result of treatment, and who would be bringing up the child. We do not exclude any woman from being considered for treatment.

People seeking treatment are entitled to a fair and unprejudiced assessment of their situation and needs. This will be conducted with skill and sensitivity appropriate to the delicacy of the case and the wishes and feelings of those involved.

In situations where the child will have no legal father we will pay particular attention to the prospective mother's ability to meet the child's needs throughout childhood.

What may be discussed?
We will take a detailed medical and social history of you and your partner. The issues that may be discussed are:

• Your commitment to having and bringing up a child/children
• Your ability to provide a stable and supportive environment for any child produced as a result of treatment
• Your medical histories and the medical histories of your families
• Your health and consequent future ability to look after or provide for a child's needs
• Your ability to meet the needs of any child or children who may be born as a result of treatment, including the implications of any possible multiple births
• Any risk of harm to the child or children who may be born, including the risk of inherited disorders or transmissible diseases, problems during pregnancy and of neglect or abuse
• The effect of a new baby or babies upon any existing child(ren) of your family In addition, if your treatment involves the use of donated sperm or eggs, the following will be discussed:
• A child's potential need to know about their origins and whether or not you are prepared for the questions which may arise while the child is growing up The possible attitudes of other members of the family towards the child, and towards his/her status in your family.
• The implications for the welfare of the child if the donor is personally known within the child's family or social circle
• An explanation of who will be the legal parents of any child produced as a result of treatment with donated sperm or eggs

Will your GP be contacted?
The HFEA requires us to contact your (and your partner's) GP to ensure that they know of no reason why either of you might not be suitable for the treatment offered. We will ask your GP to provide relevant factual information, medical or otherwise about you that might have implications for the health or welfare of any resulting child.

We will only contact your GP once you have given us consent in writing. This should only be given once you have had an opportunity to discuss these issues further.

You will be asked to sign a form of consent that permits us to seek information from your GP.

You need to be aware that it is possible for you to disclose information to us which will not be passed to your GP if it is not considered relevant and vice versa.

If you decide not to give your consent, for whatever reason,this would be a factor that may be taken into account in considering whether or not to offer treatment.

Can I/we discuss this with anyone else?
If there are issues that you think might be relevant to your circumstances or you would like to discuss the contents of this leaflet in more detail we invite you to make an appointment with our counsellor.

Can the Centre contact anyone else?
Where necessary, we may need to make further inquires of other relevant individuals, authorities or agencies. Again, your consent will be sought before any such contact is made.

Why might treatment be refused?
The team responsible for administering the fertility treatment is responsible for making the final decision about whether or not treatment will be offered. Treatment may be refused on clinical grounds, or if the Centre believes that it would not be in the interests of any resulting child, or any existing child, to provide treatment. Treatment may also be refused if we are unable to obtain sufficient relevant information or advice to reach a proper conclusion.

If treatment is refused for any reason, an appropriate member of staff of this Centre will explain to you the reasons for this and the factors, if any, which may persuade us to reverse this decision. We will also explain the options that remain open and will inform you where counselling can be obtained.

Where can we get further information?
You may obtain further information from:

Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
Paxton House
30 Artillery Lane
London E1 71S
Tel: 0207 377 5077
Website: www.hfea.gov.uk

You may find it helpful to obtain a free copy of the 'Patients Guide to DI and IVF Clinics' available by calling the HFEA.

The Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fertility
The Jessop Wing
Sheffield S10 2SF
Tel: 0114 226 8050
Fax: 0114 226 8052

Acknowledgement: Modified from HFEA Publication, Nov 1999