Overview

This bill amends the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act to prioritize the welfare of women undergoing fertility treatment. It mandates the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to consider women's welfare in its functions, promotes research into the effects of fertility treatment on women, and requires an assessment of data disclosure provisions related to research.

Description

The bill makes several key changes:

• Duty of Care: It adds a duty to the HFEA to consider the welfare of women undergoing fertility treatment, specifically addressing the marketing, emotional effects, cost, and availability of support services.
• Data Collection and Analysis: It requires the HFEA to promote analysis and understanding of the effects of fertility treatment on women's welfare and to annually publish anonymized data on live birth rates, drugs administered, dosages, number of eggs harvested, and adverse health outcomes.
• Assessment of Data Disclosure: The Secretary of State must assess the effectiveness of current data disclosure provisions for research into women's welfare during fertility treatment. This assessment will include consultation with various stakeholders and a published report to Parliament.
• Licensing Conditions: It amends licensing conditions to explicitly include the welfare of the woman undergoing treatment.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. However, it will likely involve costs associated with the HFEA's expanded data collection and analysis duties, the Secretary of State's assessment, and potential changes to support services.

Groups Affected

• Women undergoing fertility treatment: Directly affected by increased focus on their welfare and the collection and use of their data (anonymized).
• The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA): Takes on new responsibilities for data collection, analysis, and consideration of women's welfare.
• Researchers: May benefit from improved data access for research into fertility treatment effects on women's welfare.
• Healthcare providers offering fertility treatment: Subject to amended licensing conditions and data collection requirements.
• Secretary of State: Responsible for assessing data disclosure provisions and publishing a report to Parliament.

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