A major upgrade is on the way for facilities at Aberdeen Fertility Centre to create a state-of-the-art lab which will be the first in Scotland to meet rigorous new standards.
The University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian are investing £1million in an ambitious refurbishment programme, which will also lead to far superior areas for patients, and which has been prompted by new European Union legislation.
Every fertility lab in the UK will have to meet stringent standards as a result of the legislation. Aberdeen is thought to be the first in Scotland to carry out the compliance work, which will begin in September and run for six months.
Laboratory work is the only area that will be affected by the refurbishment work which - on completion - will result in a service that will allow far more fertility patients in Grampian and the Highlands and Islands to be seen. Clinics will continue as normal during the upgrade and staff will be available for consultations, support and counselling.
Staff are doing their utmost to minimise disruption – IVF* and ICSI* patients entitled to Health Board funding for treatment during 2006/2007 have had their treatment brought forward ahead of work beginning so they will not be disadvantaged.
An arrangement is also being put in place for self-funded IVF/ICSI patients, which could allow a treatment cycle managed between Aberdeen Fertility Cycle and the Assisted Conception Unit at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. This will mean that blood tests and ultrasound scans would be undertaken at Aberdeen and egg collection and embryo transfer at Dundee.
Aberdeen Fertility Centre is part of the University of Aberdeen’s Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology. Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya, Head of Department of Obsetrics and Gynaecology said: “This collaborative undertaking between NHS Grampian and the University of Aberdeen will make it possible for Aberdeen Fertility Centre to meet the stringent standards set by the European Union and ensure that we continue to provide the very best care for all of our patients.
Dr Mark Hamilton, who is the Lead Clinician within the Aberdeen Fertility Centre said: “The upgrading work will also create a far better environment for patients within the existing space. This refurbishment will give our patients the privacy they deserve, and of course, require at what is a difficult and emotional time.”
Alison McTavish, Nurse Manager at Aberdeen Fertility Centre, added: “We are striving to keep disruption to an absolute minimum.
“We are doing all that we can to make alternative arrangements for patients who might require IVF or ICSI treatment during the six months of refurbishment work. We timed the work very carefully to coincide with December and January which tend to be very quiet months for the Aberdeen Fertility Centre, so really in effect any disruption will be contained over four months.
“Once work is completed the Aberdeen Fertility Centre will be among the best in Britain.”