Legal News

The NHS in Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees has launched a public consultation on fertility services.

NHS Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is seeking the views of local people on three different options for the future location of assisted reproduction services.

The existing provider North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has informed the CCG that it is unable to continue to deliver “safe and clinically effective” assisted reproduction services in the future, due to the inability to recruit adequate staffing levels.

The CCG and the trust says they are therefore working together to establish the best way forward – and are seeking the public’s views to help inform the future decision regarding the location of the service.

The options that the CCG are consulting on are:

• Option 1: A comprehensive assisted reproductive service, including HFEA Licensed and unlicensed provision remains at Hartlepool delivered by an alternative provider.

• Option 2: Unlicensed assisted reproductive services continue to be delivered at Hartlepool and patients requiring licensed provision choose to go to an alternative site e.g. James Cook University Hospital, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Gateshead and Newcastle Fertility Centre at the Centre for Life.

• Option 3: A comprehensive assisted reproductive service, including HFEA Licensed and unlicensed provision, will no longer be available at Hartlepool – but will be delivered at other sites in the region.

The consultation will run for six weeks until 15 July.

Duncan Lewis Family Solicitors

Duncan Lewis family solicitors can advise parents on their rights and duties under the law – including advising on surrogacy and international surrogacy agreements and adoption and international adoption.

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