Hospital apologises after frozen eggs of more than 100 women may have been damaged

A hospital has apologised to more than 100 women after their eggs and embryos were likely damaged during the freezing process.

The manufacturing issue may adversely impact the chance of frozen egg or embryo survival during thawing. File pic: PA

Guy’s Hospital in London contacted the 136 women after discovering its NHS-operated clinic may have inadvertently used some bottles of a faulty freezing solution in September and October 2022.

The clinic said it did not know the liquid was defective at the time.

A Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said the manufacturing issue may adversely impact the chance of a frozen egg or embryo surviving during thawing.

“We were made aware of a manufacturing issue with some bottles of a solution that may have been used to freeze eggs and embryos in our Assisted Conception Unit in September and October 2022,” they said.

They added that Guy’s Hospital has now contacted all those affected and apologised for the delay and any distress the error may have caused.

According to the BBC it is believed many of the women affected have subsequently had cancer treatment, which may have left them unable to conceive naturally.

The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) said a safety notice about the faulty freezing system had been issued to all registered clinics in February 2023 – however the Guy’s Hospital clinic still used the faulty solution several months later.

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HFEA director of compliance and information Rachel Cutting described the situation as “ongoing” at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Assisted Conception Unit, with an investigation now underway.

“We will take any further action required as a result of this investigation, in line with our standard incidents process,” she said.

“We are aware that this affected product may have been distributed to other UK clinics, although the HFEA is currently unaware of any other licensed clinic where patients have been affected.”