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The HFEA's monthly newsletter for clinic staff

December 2025

Upcoming update to HFEA Choose a Fertility Clinic (CaFC) data

At the start of 2026, CaFC will be updated with data to the end of 2023 (births) and 2024 (pregnancies), with - ‘births per egg collection procedure’, ‘births per embryo transferred’ and the multiple birth rate - shown on each clinic’s main profile page.

We’d like to thank everyone who has worked hard to submit and verify their data which will help patients and the wider public.

For any queries relating to CaFC data or the methodologies used, please contact prismsupport@hfea.gov.uk.

The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) publishes report on compliance of advertising in the fertility sector

Published on 11 December 2025, the report found high levels of compliance in the sector after capturing 2,380 unique ads by more than 60 fertility clinics between September and October 2025.

In response to new intelligence about advertising practices in the fertility sector, CAP, the sister body of the Advertising Standards Authority, resumed monitoring of ads using its AI-based active ad monitoring system.

Of the ads that broke the advertising rules, the most common clear-cut issues identified were:

The use of unproven superiority or “best” claims
The advertising of success rates as a percentage without making clear the number of actual patients treated
Success rates being framed in the context of “clinical pregnancy rates”, rather than “live birth rates”, which is a more meaningful metric for the public.

Positively, 96.7% of the ads assessed did follow the advertising rules. In the small number of cases where ads weren't compliant, effective action was taken, with clinics being contacted and instructed to amend or remove problematic claims from their paid advertising. Clinics have responded positively to contact, amending or removing such claims. One clinic was referred to the platform hosting its ad for enforcement.

CAP’s proactive monitoring and direct engagement with clinics has been successful and has led to an increase in the rate of advertisers following the rules. The level of compliance across the sector is reassuringly high and ads by most clinics are clear and accurate.

CAP will continue to work closely with advertisers to address any remaining issues, ensuring that a high level of compliance across the sector is maintained and those considering fertility treatment continue to be protected from misleading advertising.

Cyber security breaches at fertility clinics

We are aware that some clinic databases are being targeted by cyber criminals.

Clinics that are targeted in a cyber-attack should inform the HFEA of the incident in line with our regulatory requirements. We appreciate incidents like these may be concerning to patients, so we advise that you answer any questions they may have and offer support through your clinic’s counselling service.

Clinics are reminded of the advice and guidance available from the National Cyber Security Centre.

Please report any incidences of cyber security breach to incident.reporting@hfea.gov.uk.

Coming in January: New BICA Professional Resource on Delivering Implications Counselling

The British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA) will be publishing a new national Professional Resource on Delivering Implications Counselling in UK Clinics, designed to support PRs, quality managers, nurses, counsellors, and clinic teams in providing consistent, high-quality practice.

The full resource will be launched in January 2026.

If you would like to receive a direct notification when the resource goes live, please register your interest here: implicationsresource@bica.net.

Donor Conception Network’s ‘Making it Real’ workshop 2026

This workshop, for professionals working with donor conception families and prospective parents, is taking place on 8 May 2026.

Do you work with donor conception families or with patients using donor eggs, sperm, or embryos? DCN’s ‘Making it Real’ workshop is specially designed for you to enhance your knowledge and understanding of this route to parenthood and help you offer families the support they need. This session will help you understand the arc of experiences that donor conception families may move through, including the various points at which they may need information, support, or guidance.

This annual workshop is a one-day event and has sold out the past five years. To find out more and to book an early bird discounted ticket, click here.

Alert reminders

Alert 2025/14 - Schiller Medical: DEFIGARD Touch7 monitor and defibrillator, potential malfunction

Alert 2025/14 was issued on 26 November 2025

If the PR at your clinic did not receive these alerts via email, please contact Business Support at HFEACompliance@HFEA.gov.uk to update your contact details. Please also make sure that the email address alerts are sent from, alert@hfea.gov.uk, has been whitelisted by your IT department.

If there are members of clinic staff, other than your PR, who would also like to receive alerts, then please provide Business Support with their details, using the email address above.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) publish all Field Safety Notices (FSNs) on their website.

For any questions about the content of the Alerts, please contact incident.reporting@hfea.gov.uk.

Did you know?

All centres operating under a research licence must report the total number of embryos created, used, or disposed of during that project of research (General Direction 0002).

Annual returns for the year ending 31 December 2025 should therefore be submitted by 31 January 2026.

The PR must complete and submit an electronic copy of ‘Research Information and Data Sheet’ (RIDS) found within General Direction 0002. As part of this submission the PR must confirm that the information provided is true and accurate.

If you have not received an email by 9 January 2026 with an attached electronic copy of the RIDS form from the HFEA regarding this matter, then please contact the centre’s inspector.

Editorial statement

Clinic Focus is the official electronic newsletter of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, is produced by the editorial team of the HFEA and provides a monthly roundup of news and information for clinics and their staff working in the field of fertility treatment.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission.

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