This week we discuss the expectations of fertility clinics with respect to the skill sets and qualifications of the staff and leadership of the clinic.

Following a referral most couples would seek treatment at a fertility clinic which simply put is a practice with a team of medical professionals engaged in the science of human reproduction. However it is much more and the expectations and responsibilities placed on the team; the head of the unit and the staff as they manage the affairs of the clinic must meet minimum standards for it to be reliable.

The person responsible for the unit should possess the relevant academic qualifications in the field of medical or biological sciences from a recognised tertiary institution as well as a minimum of two (2) years of practical experience in reproductive medicine. He or she would be responsible for ensuring that proper equipment is used in the unit; that arrangements exist for the storage of human gametes and human embryos as well their disposal should the need arise, that the clinic operates according to laid down protocols in a suitable premises, that patient records are protected, that the clinic operates within the moral and ethical frameworks of the society and ultimately be responsible for the establishment and implementation of an accredited quality management system. To achieve these, the person responsible must have demonstrated integrity and possess the managerial authority and capabilities for the execution of his duties. Furthermore there must be established relationships between the responsible person and external specialists to assure professionalism in the management of the clinic.

The clinic should have a sufficient number of medical, nursing, embryology and counseling personnel in its operational team who should have relevant academic qualifications from recognised institutions of learning, registration with the relevant professional bodies and be proficient in their areas of responsibility. They should be trained as well as regularly updated as dictated by procedural changes and advancements in their field and must be able to demonstrate up-to-date awareness of new and emerging trends in their field.

The clinic should have a designate with overall clinical responsibility who should be a registered Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with an award upon completion of his training from a recognised professional body. This person should possess sufficient knowledge of reproductive medicine and have significant experience in a fertility clinic to assume this role. There should be a Nurse Manager who interfaces with and supports the medical team in patient management as well as supervises the activities of the other fertility nurses. The Laboratory manager must possess a relevant clinical or biomedical science degree; be able to demonstrate training and proficiency in the management of all IVF procedures and be able to supervise the training and development of other embryologists in the unit. This team of people must work with you, individually and collectively, technically and provide support as you receive treatment at the fertility clinic.

Your decision to seek assisted conception is driven by your need to become parents; however in choosing your fertility clinic you should ensure that your safety is preserved, the clinic is reliable and they can be trusted, because along this journey, everything especially little things matter…