Eighth Edition - R.3 - Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority

HFEA guidance (cont)
5.2 When a woman is to undergo an egg or embryo transfer, the centre should:
(a) obtain her consent to the proposed number of eggs or embryos to be transferred, and
(b)
record her consent in her medical records.
5.3 The centre should establish and use documented procedures to ensure that no activity involving the handling
or processing of gametes or embryos is carried out without the appropriate consent having been given.
See also guidance note:
15 – Procuring, processing and transporting gametes and embryos
Procedure for obtaining consent
Interpretation of mandatory requirements
The law requires that before a person consents to the procedures outlined in box 5A,
they should be given:
5B
(a)
(b)
(c)
enough information to enable them to understand the nature, purpose and implications
of their treatment or donation
a suitable opportunity to receive proper counselling about the implications of the steps
which they are considering taking, and
information about the procedure for varying or withdrawing any consent given, and
about the implications of doing so.
5.4 Centres should ensure that, before a person gives consent, they are given the information outlined in
guidance note 4 – Information to be provided prior to consent.
5.5 The centre should inform anyone providing gametes that they can, if they wish, specify extra conditions for
storing or using their gametes (or embryos created using them).
5.6 The centre should give anyone seeking treatment or considering donation or storage enough time to
reflect on their decisions before obtaining their consent. The centre should give them an opportunity to ask
questions and receive further information, advice and guidance.
5.7 If the possibility of donating gametes or embryos for the treatment of others, or donating embryos for
research or training purposes, arises during the course of treatment, the centre should allow potential
donors enough time to consider the implications and to receive counselling before giving consent.
5.8 The centre should ensure that consent is:
(a)
given voluntarily (without pressure to accept treatment or agree to donation)
(b) given by a person who has capacity to do so, as defined by the Mental Capacity Act 2005
(England and Wales), or the Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991 and the Adults with
Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000, and
(c)
taken by a person authorised by the centre to do so.
5.9 The centre should ensure that anyone giving consent declares that:
(a) they were given enough information to enable them to understand the nature, purpose and
implications of the treatment or donation
(b) they were given a suitable opportunity to receive proper counselling about the implications
of the proposed procedures
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Guidance note | 5. Consent to treatment, storage, donation and disclosure of information
Version 2.0
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