Fertility treatment in region boosted as£3.3m state-of-the-art IVF centre opens

A SPECIALIST fertility unit serving thousands of people across the region has opened its doors in Leeds.

The 3.3m Leeds Centre for Reproductive Medicine at Seacroft Hospital will be among the biggest in the UK, carrying out 2,000 IVF treatment cycles a year.

The move brings together 60 staff from two units at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital which have consistently been among the most successful 10 per cent in the country.

It follows recommendations for a merger made in a report into a laboratory mix-up in 2004 at the infirmary which saw mixed-race twins born to a white couple.

Specialist Prof Adam Balen said: “The new centre represents a new era whereby our strengths are reinforced and our teams will be able to achieve much more for our patients in this fantastic state-of-the-art environment.

“We have an international reputation for world-class research ranging from the basic science of egg and embryo development, to the management of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome and the preservation of fertility for women about to undergo cancer therapy.”

Demand for fertility treatments is expected to increase significantly in coming years as women put off giving birth until later in life, while there are also major concerns soaring levels of obesity will affect fertility.

Under NHS guidelines, more couples are due to become eligible for free fertility treatment although its availability still varies.