As the UK fertility regulator, we make sure fertility clinics and research centres comply with the law. A key element of our work is to provide free, clear, and impartial information about the various types of fertility treatment available at UK clinics.
However, we recognise that people’s experiences with fertility treatment differ, based on their individual circumstances, and it’s important that this is considered as part of our work. That’s why we are establishing the Patient Engagement Forum.
What is the Patient Engagement Forum?
The Patient Engagement Forum will be made up of a pool of people including patients, partners, donors, donor-conceived people and parents of donor conceived people, whose views and experiences will help to shape our work and the information we produce. As a member of the Patient Engagement Forum, you’ll get the opportunity to share your views and experiences with us on certain topics.
How will the Patient Engagement Forum work?
Anyone who has completed the application form, and fulfils the joining criteria, will be added to our Patient Engagement contact list.
Depending on your areas of interest, we may contact you with relevant opportunities for you to get involved in. This may include, but is not limited to taking part in an online survey, telephone research or webinars.
As a member of the Patient Engagement Forum, we will keep you up to date with relevant opportunities for you to get involved in our work through regular emails.
Who can join the Patient Engagement Forum?
We’re particularly interested in hearing from underrepresented groups, such as those from the LGBTQ+ community, individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds and those living outside of London, to ensure the views and experiences of all fertility patients in the UK are reflected.
Patients and their partners
Patients and/or their partners, who would like to join the Patient Engagement Forum, need to have undergone fertility treatment in the UK during one of the following time frames:
- Planning to/ considering treatment in the next 12 months
- Currently in treatment
- Had treatment in the last five years
These time frames are set to ensure that the experiences and feedback we receive relate to recent fertility treatment experiences.
Donor conceived people, parents of donor conceived people & donors
The Patient Engagement Forum is open to UK donors who donated eggs, sperm or embryos after 1991, as well as donor conceived people, who were born after 1991, including their parents.
Surrogacy
UK surrogates, as well as intended parents, can join the Patient Engagement Forum if their treatment has taken place in the UK, in the last five years, or is taking place in the next 12 months.
Join the Patient Engagement Forum
Fill out the application survey
We will review your application and if you fulfil the criteria set out, you’ll be notified and added to the Patient Engagement Forum membership.
Authors
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)
We are the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment and research using human embryos. A world-class expert organisation in the fertility sector, we were the first statutory body of our type in the world.
