Welfare of child consultation and consultative meetings

I am pleased to announce that the HFEA is, today, launching a public consultation on the guidance to licensed fertility clinics about welfare of the child assessments. The consultation is seeking views on how the HFEA might revise it�s guidance to clinics about how to implement the requirement in the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act to take account of the welfare of any child who might be born as the result of fertility treatment.

You can download a copy of the consultation document, �Tomorrow�s Children� and complete the questionnaire by visiting our website.

http://www.hfea.gov.uk/AboutHFEA/Consultations

The consultation is open to responses until 7th April 2005. The written consultation will be complemented by three consultative meetings, designated to create an opportunity to discuss the ethical and practical aspects of welfare of the child assessments. Although welfare of the child assessments primarily affect clinic staff and patients we are keen for a wider range of organisations and individuals to attend the meetings in order to contribute their views and experience. I hope very much that you will be able to attend.

Please contact me at [email protected] if you have questions about any aspect of the consultation or the meetings.