Guy's Hospital In London Has Contacted 136 People After Dozens Of Women May Have Lost The Chance To Have Children

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates all fertility treatment in the UK, has confirmed that it is investigating the use of faulty solution for storage of eggs and embryos by the Assisted Conception Unit at Guy’s Hospital in London. 

The hospital has contacted up to 136 patients affected to notify them and lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, have been approached already by several of those patients. They're hoping to find answers about what happened, why it happened and more importantly, how they can recover or continue on their fertility journey.   

Faulty freezing solution concerns at Guy's Hospital London

It appears that a batch of the solution used to store harvested eggs and embryos in September and October 2022 was faulty, according to letters sent to affected patients treated at Guy’s.  HFEA issued a warning notice about the faulty freezing solution in February 2023, but it has taken up to 12 months for clinics to notify patients affected. 

The HFEA has advised any patients concerned, to contact their local fertility clinic. 

Jessop Fertility clinic Sheffield

Hours after news of the HFEA investigation broke, it was also confirmed Jessop Fertility clinic in Sheffield had been affected. However, the HFEA added that its ongoing investigation only related to Guy’s as it was satisfied that Jessops undertook a thorough investigation when the regulator became aware of the issue and contacted and supported any patients affected.

The consequences of faulty freezing solution

The notice from HFEA confirms that because the storage solution was faulty, this ‘may’ impact the chance of frozen egg or embryo survival during thawing.

Those patients who have already contacted lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, including Catherine Slattery, have been told by the clinic that in all likelihood that frozen material will not be viable.

Expert Opinion

"This is devastating news for all patients affected, given that fertility treatment is arduous and can take many cycles of treatment to ensure a sufficient harvest of eggs and/or sperm.

"However, for those cancer patients who had fertility treatment prior to their cancer treatment to preserve their chance of having a family, this will be particularly devastating.

"At Irwin Mitchell we support patients who have brought successful medical negligence claims relating to fertility treatment and we have succeeded in recovering the costs of private fertility treatment and surrogacy, where negligent treatment has led to infertility." Catherine Slattery

What Guy's Hospital and Jessop Sheffield have said

Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust apologised to affected women and said it may have unwittingly used some bottles of a faulty freezing solution in September and October 2022.

However, it said it didn’t know the liquid was defective at the time.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Jessop clinic, said as soon as a product recall was issued it identified 29 patients who had eggs or embryos frozen in August 2022. It said 28 of those didn’t have the faulty fluid used to freeze their eggs or embryos. The other person contacted reportedly didn’t require further action.

Medical negligence lawyer says it's vital women receive support

Expert Opinion

“This is a very worrying incident which could potentially have devastating consequences for women, especially those who have had to go through the physical and psychological impact of cancer treatment.

“We’ve been contacted by a number of women possibly affected and are looking into their concerns further. The women are based in London and received treatment at Guy’s Hospital, as well as elsewhere in England and Wales.

“It’s vital that women receive the care and support they may need to get through this difficult time while this incident is investigated further. If any failings are identified during HFEA and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's investigations, it’s vital that lessons are learned to prevent issues like this arising in the future.” Catherine Slattery

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting patients affected by care issues at our dedicated fertility negligence claims section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.