Assisted Conception Service

Hundreds of people in Scotland need the help of egg or sperm donors to give them the chance to become parents and the gift of starting a family.

The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland have launched the first national campaign of its kind to encourage people to become egg and sperm donors, with the four NHS tertiary Fertility Centres in Scotland (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow).

Donating your eggs or sperm is something that requires careful consideration, but if it’s right for you then you have the potential to give the joy of starting a family to those people in Scotland, who need the help of donors to become parents.

Visit the egg and sperm website to find out more.

Egg and Sperm Donation Campaign

All treatments we provide are NHS services and are individually tailored to meet your needs.

We also provide services for those who wish to consider paying for their treatment in partnership with Glasgow Royal Fertility Clinic (GRFC) of Glasgow University.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)

The website of the regulator of assisted conception services in the UK. Contains a comprehensive range of information covering all aspects of assisted conception treatment.

Fertility Network UK

A leading, UK wide, support network that offers information and support to anyone affected by fertility problems.

Donor Conception Network

Eggs, Sperm and Embryo Donation

More to Life

ACS is licensed by the UK’s regulator of assisted conception treatment (the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) to provide the following services:

Gonadotrophin Ovulation Induction and Intrauterine Insemination (OI/IUI)

Stages of Treatment

Downregulation

OI/IUI starts with the suppression (stopping) of your normal menstrual cycle, and we call this down regulation. To do this we will give you an injection called rostap on a specific day of your menstrual cycle. This may cause some menopausal type symptoms (for example, mild headache, hot flushes, mood swings). Usually, you will have a period around 1-2 weeks later. This period may be heavier than normal.

Stimulation

Around 2 weeks after prostap, we will perform a transvaginal (internal) ultrasound scan to look at your uterus and ovaries. If all is well at this stage, we will give you Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) injections to take at home every day. We will show you how to do these injections yourself.

Monitoring

We will monitor your response to these injections by doing regular transvaginal ultrasound scans and blood samples from day 8 of injections. Each woman’s response to this treatment is different and you may need to take injections anything from 8 to 20+ days. You will attend regularly for appointments to monitor your response while taking the stimulation injections. Depending on the results from the regular tests, we may change the dose of drug in your treatment to help stimulate your ovaries.

Unfortunately, some women may not respond to this treatment which means that none of the follicles in your ovaries grow. In this case we will stop the treatment and review your case. In other cases, too many follicles develop, and treatment is cancelled. This is to reduce the chance of becoming pregnant with more than one baby (Multiple pregnancy | Tommy’s) which has increased risks for mothers and babies.

Once a mature follicle has developed in one of your ovaries, and your endometrium has thickened, you will take an hCG booster injection. This hormone matures the egg and causes ovulation. You will be given this booster 40 hours before having your insemination. Please note that the timing of this injection is critical and it must be done at the exact time specified to you by the ACS staff.

IUI Sperm Sample (for male partners)

On the day of your partner’s IUI you will need to produce a fresh sperm sample. You should ejaculate 2 days before attending to provide your sample. On the morning of the planned IUI we will show you into a private room to produce your sperm sample.

Embryology staff will prepare the fresh sample to be transferred into your partner’s uterus.

IUI Procedure

The procedure is very similar to a smear test. A speculum is inserted into the vagina to pass a catheter through the cervix. Attached to the catheter is a syringe containing prepared (‘washed’) sperm. When the catheter is in the correct position, the operator will depress the syringe, and the sperm will be deposited into the uterus. The catheter is very fine and is normally not felt by the patient.

Please see Frequently Asked Questions – NHSGGC for more information.

Aftercare

After your IUI you will require progesterone to help support the endometrium. This is taken through vaginal pessaries 12 hourly until pregnancy outcome date. After the IUI a nurse will give you the date to do a pregnancy test at home and the email address to let us know the result.

Risks of OI/IUI

The main risk of OI/IUI is becoming pregnant with more than one baby at a time Multiple pregnancy | Tommy’s. We will monitor you closely throughout treatment to try and prevent this.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is a risk for anyone having stimulation of their ovaries with hormones. We will monitor you closely throughout treatment to try and prevent this, but it is important that you know the signs and symptoms. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) | RCOG

Intrauterine Insemination

Content coming soon…

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

Before explaining IVF, it is useful to explain the natural fertilisation process (getting pregnant).

Each month an egg (oocyte) is released from a follicle (a fluid filled sac containing an egg) in the ovary and passes down the fallopian tube towards the womb (uterus). Sperm released into the vagina during intercourse swims towards the egg and one sperm will enter the egg, resulting in fertilisation.

This fertilised egg (an embryo) then begins its journey towards the uterus and approximately 5 days later becomes embedded in the thick lining of the uterus (endometrium). This is called implantation and is the first stage of pregnancy.

What is IVF?

IVF involves the collection of eggs directly from the ovaries using a needle. Washed sperm are added to a dish containing the eggs and the sperm are left to swim to the eggs on their own. The sperm and eggs are left in the dish together overnight and the eggs checked for fertilisation the following morning.

The ‘best’ sperm that reaches the egg first should hopefully enter the egg and fertilise it, resulting in an embryo. For more information see In vitro fertilisation (IVF) | HFEA

Who can have IVF?

Women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes.
People with unexplained fertility problems, or who have tried other treatments that were unsuccessful.
Women who have difficulty with ovulation and who haven’t been successful with other treatments.
Older women who are less likely to be successful with less invasive treatments.
At a clinic appointment the nurse or doctor will assess if IVF is the right treatment for you.

Assessment and Tests Required

Depending on which type of treatment you’re having, you will need to carry out some Assessments and Tests. ACS staff will advise which ones are appropriate to you.

The Stages of Treatment

The drug protocol you have been given will explain each step of the treatment which has been recommended for you. Treatment will either start with an injection to suppress your own hormones or will start with your own cycle.

Before starting stimulation injections to stimulate the follicles on your ovaries, you will come the ACS and have an internal scan of the uterus and ovaries. The nurse will give you a supply of medication, explain how to do the injections and your drug regime.

Around day 8-10 of injections, you will return to the clinic for scans and blood test every 1-3 days after, until you are ready for egg collection.

Each woman’s response to this treatment is different. Daily hormone injections can be required for 8-17 days. Some people respond much more quickly while others can take up to 17 days. However, average is around 10-14 days. Depending on the results from the scans and blood tests, the dose of drug used in your treatment may be changed.

Possible side effects from drugs used during the ‘down regulation’ phase may cause hot flushes, headaches, mood swings and vaginal dryness. These symptoms should pass. We carefully and regularly monitor you when drugs are used to stimulate your ovaries. However, in a small number of cases there may be side effects. In mild cases, the ovaries become slightly enlarged which might cause some abdominal cramps. In severe cases, the ovaries become much enlarged, and fluid gathers in the abdominal cavity causing discomfort or pain. There can be vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal swelling and breathlessness. There may be a feeling of weakness and fainting, and you may not pass much urine. These complications require immediate attention, and you should contact ACS. For more information see Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) | RCOG

Unfortunately, some women may not respond to this treatment. In this case the treatment will be stopped, and we will review your case. You will be given a clinic appointment to discuss your options.

If you do respond, once an adequate number of follicles (fluid filled sacs some of which contain eggs) are present in your ovaries, you will be given one final hormone injection called the ‘booster’. This helps mature the eggs in your follicles. You will usually be given this booster 36 hours before having your egg retrieval.

Please note that the timing of this injection is critical, and it must be done at the exact time specified to you by the ACS staff.

The Egg Retrieval

The night before your procedure please fast from midnight (do not eat or drink anything), as you will be given sedation.

When attending the procedure:

Give yourself plenty of time to travel to ACS on the day of your appointment. Allow time for traffic delays and finding a parking place which can be time consuming.

Please bring with you a dressing gown and slippers, we will provide you with a hospital gown to wear.

You should not wear nail varnish, perfume, make-up or body lotion.

Do not bring large sums of money or valuable jewellery with you (except your wedding ring).

On the day Please report to the ACS suite. At the ACS suite, a nurse will help you prepare for the retrieval procedure.

A doctor will:

describe the procedure to you in detail
take a history of your general health
answer any questions you may have
ask you to sign a consent form for the treatment.

An anaesthetist will:

Discuss the procedure and will be present throughout to control your sedation and monitor your wellbeing.

The Procedure

The procedure begins with a needle assembly (called a venflon) being inserted into a vein in your hand or your arm. Your sedation will be given through a tube attached to the venflon. You may feel yourself drifting off to sleep but still be aware of noise around about you and remain sensitive to touch.

Your ovaries are viewed on an ultrasound monitor by gently placing an ultrasound probe into your vagina. Within each ovary, there will be a number of follicles. A fine needle is passed down a specialised guide attached to the ultrasound probe and the tip of the needle is directed right into the centre of each follicle. Gentle suction is applied through the needle, removing the contents of the follicle into a specially prepared container, which is then carefully examined to see if an egg is present.

This retrieval procedure ends when all the follicles have been drained and usually takes about 30 minutes to complete. Afterwards, you will go back to the recovery area to rest until you feel ready to go home, which is usually 1-3 hours later. You should plan for someone to collect you from the ACS Suite and go home with you.

For 24 hours after sedation, you should not drive or operate machinery, drink alcohol, take sleeping tablets or

sign legal documents.

Sperm Collection and the Fertilisation of Your Eggs

Sperm sample (for men) On the day that your partner’s eggs are to be retrieved you will need to produce a fresh sperm sample. Do not have sex or ejaculate for 2 days before your appointment. We will show you into a private room in the Embryology Laboratory to produce your sperm sample.

A fresh sperm sample is prepared to maximise the number of healthy sperm available for mixing with your eggs. There is no guarantee that all of your eggs will be fertilised and very occasionally there will be no fertilisation at all. Any fertilised embryos that do form are left to grow for 5 days in an Embryoscope – NHSGGC. We will contact you the day after your oocyte retrieval to let you know how many of your eggs were fertilised.

Please note that not all patients will have embryos suitable for freezing.

Embryo Transfer

A few days after the retrieval process, the embryo produced will be transferred into your uterus. Please attend the ACS Suite at your appointed time for the embryo transfer.

It will feel similar to having a cervical smear test performed, and you do not usually have to be sedated or anaesthetised. A specially designed tube (called a catheter) is used to place the embryo(s) into your uterus. It would be helpful if you did not empty your bladder before the procedure. After your embryo(s) have been transferred you will continue vaginal progesterone hormone treatment.

Please note that one embryo will usually be replaced, unless double embryo transfer has been discussed. Please see Decisions to make about your embryos | HFEA for more information on why a single embryo transfer is safest for you and any babies born from fertility treatment.

Test Results (Treatment Outcome)

We will give you a date to carry out a home pregnancy test and you should let us know the result via email.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Patient Information

This leaflet will give you more information about Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Before explaining ICSI, it is useful to explain the natural fertilisation process (getting pregnant).

What is ICSI?

ICSI involves the collection of eggs directly from the ovaries using a needle. An embryologist then selects a single sperm and injects it directly into a mature egg’s cytoplasm, bypassing the outer layers of the egg. The injected eggs are left in the incubator overnight and the eggs checked for fertilisation the following morning. If the egg fertilises, an embryo starts to develop. For more information see Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) | HFEA

Who can benefit from ISCI?

ICSI is a treatment for male infertility and may be offered if:

It will improve your chance of a successful outcome

The sperm count is very low

The sperm are not mobile enough (i.e. They cannot swim properly)

An attempt at In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) did not result in fertilisation

Sperm have had to be removed directly from the epididymis or testicle using a surgical technique.

At a clinic appointment the nurse or doctor will assess if ICSI is the right treatment for you.

Assessment and Tests Required

Depending on which type of treatment you’re having, you will need to carry out some Assessments and Tests. ACS staff will advise which ones are appropriate to you.

The Stages of Treatment

Around day 8-10 of injections, you will return to the clinic for scans and blood test every 1-3 days after, until you are ready for egg collection.

Unfortunately, some women may not respond to this treatment. In this case the treatment will be stopped, and we will review your case. You will be given a clinic appointment to discuss your options.

Please note that the timing of this injection is critical, and it must be done at the exact time specified to you by the ACS staff.

The Egg Retrieval

The night before your procedure please fast from midnight (do not eat or drink anything), as you will be given sedation.

When attending the procedure:

Give yourself plenty of time to travel to ACS on the day of your appointment. Allow time for traffic delays and finding a parking place which can be time consuming.

Please bring with you a dressing gown and slippers, we will provide you with a hospital gown to wear.

You should not wear nail varnish, perfume, make-up or body lotion.

Do not bring large sums of money or valuable jewellery with you (except your wedding ring).

On the day, please report to the ACS suite. At the ACS suite, a nurse will help you prepare for the retrieval procedure.

A doctor will:

describe the procedure to you in detail

take a history of your general health

answer any questions you may have

ask you to sign a consent form for the treatment.

An anaesthetist will:

Discuss the procedure and will be present throughout to control your sedation and monitor your wellbeing.

The Procedure

For 24 hours after sedation, you should not drive or operate machinery, drink alcohol, take sleeping tablets or sign legal documents.

Sperm Collection and the Fertilisation of Your Eggs

A fresh sperm sample is prepared to maximise the number of healthy sperm available for injecting into your eggs. An embryologist will select one of the healthiest looking sperm from the sample and inject into the eggs. This will be repeated for each mature egg. There is no guarantee that all of your eggs will be fertilised and very occasionally there will be no fertilisation at all. Any fertilised embryos that do form are left to grow for 5 days in an Embryoscope – NHSGGC. We will contact you the day after your oocyte retrieval to let you know how many of your eggs were fertilised.

Please note that not all patients will have embryos suitable for freezing.

Embryo Transfer

A few days after the retrieval process, the embryo produced will be transferred into your uterus. Please attend the ACS Suite at your appointed time for the embryo transfer.

Test Results (Treatment Outcome)

We will give you a date to carry out a home pregnancy test and you should let us know the result via email.

Pre Implantation Genetic Testing (PGT)

What is PGT?

This is a special type of fertility treatment which helps couples who are at risk of having a child with a serious genetic condition. Embryos are created outside of the body using Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) | HFEA and then tested for the genetic condition. Only embryos not affected are placed back into the uterus.

There are 3 different types of PGT:

PGT-M (for monogenic disorders):

Used to test for single-gene disorders, such as cystic fibrosis or Huntington’s disease.

PGT-SR (for structural rearrangements):

Used to test for chromosomal structural rearrangements, like translocations.

PGT-A (for aneuploidy):

PGT-A is a type of PGT that screens for aneuploidy (abnormal number of chromosomes). Please note, PGT-A is not available as an add-on to NHS IVF/ICSI.

If there is a chance that a pregnancy may be affected by a familial genetic condition, some families wish to take steps to ensure that it will not be affected. Most couples requesting PGT do so to avoid the possibility of terminating a pregnancy following pre-natal testing, or if they already require IVF due to subfertility.

The HFEA regulate which conditions we can test for. Their website contains more information on Pre-implantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) and Pre-implantation genetic testing for chromosomal structural rearrangements (PGT-SR) | HFEA

All patients having PGT will be seen and followed up by a specialist team including a consultant, nurse and embryologist who work closely with the team at clinical genetics.

Who can benefit from PGT?

Couples who already have a child affected by a genetic condition or chromosomal rearrangement

Couples who are not affected by a genetic condition but are both carriers of a gene which can result in them having a child with a genetic condition

Couples where one partner is affected by a genetic condition, either because they inherited it or it is a new condition, and they risk passing that condition on to their child

Couples where one partner has a balanced chromosomal translocation which may result in passing on an unbalanced chromosome to a child

Assessments and Tests

Before being seen at the ACS for PGT, you will have had some genetic testing through clinical genetics. Depending on which type of treatment you’re having, you will also need to have some Screening tests and Initial Appointments – NHSGGC and ACS staff will advise which ones are appropriate to you.

The Stages of Treatment

Genetic work-up

Before PGT treatment can begin, we need to wait on the genetics laboratory confirming they are ready to receive samples. This can take around 6 months for PGT-M and 2 months for PGT-SR. Once they are ready, we will arrange your appointments.

See Screening tests and Initial Appointments – NHSGGC for information about your first visits to the ACS.

Starting Treatment

The PGT team will meet and plan a treatment cycle for you.

The drug protocol you have been given will explain each step of the treatment which has been recommended. Treatment will either start with an injection or tablets to suppress your own hormones or will start with your own cycle.

Around day 8-10 of injections, you will return to the clinic for scans and blood test every 1-3 days after, until you are ready for egg collection.

Unfortunately, some women may not respond to this treatment. In this case the treatment will be stopped, and we will review your case. You will be given a clinic appointment to discuss your options.

Please note that the timing of this injection is critical, and it must be done at the exact time specified to you by the ACS staff.

The Egg Retrieval

The night before your procedure please fast from midnight (do not eat or drink anything), as you will be given sedation.

When attending the procedure:

Give yourself plenty of time to travel to ACS on the day of your appointment. Allow time for traffic delays and finding a parking place which can be time consuming.

Please bring with you a dressing gown and slippers, we will provide you with a hospital gown to wear.

You should not wear nail varnish, perfume, make-up or body lotion.

Do not bring large sums of money or valuable jewellery with you (except your wedding ring).

On the day, please report to the ACS suite. At the ACS suite, a nurse will help you prepare for the retrieval procedure.

A doctor will:

describe the procedure to you in detail

take a history of your general health

answer any questions you may have

ask you to sign a consent form for the treatment.

An anaesthetist will:

Discuss the procedure and will be present throughout to control your sedation and monitor your wellbeing.

The Procedure

For 24 hours after sedation, you should not drive or operate machinery, drink alcohol, take sleeping tablets or sign legal documents.

Sperm Collection and the Fertilisation of Your Eggs

Embryo Biopsy

This will be discussed during your consultation with one of our nurses. Normally biopsies will be performed at day 5 or 6 blastocyst stage of development. The biopsy process starts with the embryologist lasering a small opening in the wall of the embryo. Approximately 5-10 cells are removed from the embryo using a small pipette and then transferred into small tubes.

The embryos will then be cryopreserved (frozen) and stored. The cells that are removed from the embryos are packaged and couriered to the external genetics testing laboratory and the results will be available approximately 4 weeks after biopsy. Our embryologists will call and discuss the results with you.

Embryos that have a low-risk result can be transferred in a frozen embryo transfer cycle. Embryos that show a high-risk result cannot be transferred. Embryos that have been biopsied cannot be transferred in the same cycle with embryos that have not been biopsied, or those that did not yield a result. Embryos with a high-risk result will not be stored or transferred.

Very occasionally (<1% of cases) we may not get a result. We may be able to re-biopsy an embryo, but this will be discussed with you.

We are not allowed to carry out sex selection for social reasons. Sex selection can only be performed when there is a known risk of serious physical or mental illness or disability for one gender, when the other is unaffected. In this case, the unaffected gender will always be selected over an embryo of the affected gender.

Frozen Embryo Transfer

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

When embryos are frozen as part of a treatment cycle, they can be stored for the time period you have consented to. Once you are ready to start an embryo transfer cycle there are a few steps we need to go through to ensure you, and your partner are fully consented and meet the NHS access criteria. Then, to maximise your chance of success, we ensure your endometrium is prepared and ready for the embryo transfer.

When you phone the booking line to book an FET, they will take some information from you and bring your notes the weekly FET scheduling meeting. Due to the high demand for FET cycles, we may not be able to book the 1^st time you call. Waiting times for FET cycles can be around 3 months. When you start an FET cycle, we will check your smear is in date and your BMI is 18.5-30. Please ensure you meet both requirements before phoning to book.

In ACS, we have 4 types of Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycles. The doctor will advise which one is most appropriate for you, depending on your menstrual cycle, medical history and any previous embryo transfers.

HRT FET

1^st Appointment

If you have a regular cycle, this will be around day 21 of your cycle. If you don’t, we will allocate an appointment based on the treatment cycle. You will both be allocated e-consents to complete before this appointment. Please ensure this is done as failure to do so may delay your appointment or treatment starting.

This appointment lasts 30 minutes and both partners should attend. We will:

Check e-consents are correct

Sign off photographic ID

Check BMI

Check smear and routine screening is in date

Administer a prostap injection to downregulate your cycle

If you don’t have a regular cycle, we will take a blood sample and give you the prostap injection away to administer yourself once the blood result is back

Answer any questions you may have about the treatment

2^nd Appointment

This will be around 2 weeks after your 1^st appointment and will last 20-30 minutes. Both partners don’t need to attend as long as all consents have been completed. We will:

Ask if you have had a period since prostap

Perform an internal ultrasound to assess the uterus and ovaries

We may take a blood test depending on the scan result

Give you medication away to start and explain how to take them

Make a return appointment for around 2 weeks later

3^rd Appointment

We will perform an ultrasound to assess the growth of your endometrium. Depending on what the thickness is, we will advise what to do next.

If endometrium is more than 8mm we’ll give you medication and show you how to administer it. We’ll pass your notes to the embryology team who will be in contact with the next steps.

If endometrium is less than 8mm we’ll arrange for another scan appointment 1-3 days later.

Embryo Transfer

The embryologist will advise when you should stop downregulation medication and start progesterone medication. Timing of this is very important so please follow these instructions carefully.

They will give you a date and time to attend for embryo transfer around 5-6 days after starting progesterone. One adult can accompany you for the procedure but children cannot come into the procedure room.

The embryo transfer is very similar to a smear test. A speculum is inserted into the vagina and an empty catheter is passed through the cervix. Once the empty catheter is in position, a catheter containing the embryo is passed through the empty catheter and the embryo is deposited from the catheter into the uterus. The catheter is very fine and is normally not felt by the patient.

An abdominal (tummy) scan is used for guidance during the embryo transfer procedure. To ensure the best possible view, we ask that you have a comfortably full bladder in preparation for embryo transfer.

Test Results (Treatment Outcome)

We will give you a date to carry out a home pregnancy test and you should let us know the result via email.

See our Frequently Asked Questions – NHSGGC for more advice before and after embryo transfer.

Modified Natural Cycle (MNC) FET

1^st Appointment

This will usually be between day 7-21of your cycle. You will both be allocated e-consents to complete before this appointment. Please ensure this is done as failure to do so may delay your appointment or treatment starting.

This appointment lasts 30 minutes and both partners should attend. We will:

Check e-consents are correct

Sign off photographic ID

Check BMI

Check smear and routine screening is in date

Answer any questions you may have about the treatment

2^nd Appointment

You will email the nurses on the 1^st day of your period after the 1^st appointment. They will allocate a date and time for you to come for a scan, usually day 8-10 if your cycle, and the appointment will last around 20 minutes. Both partners don’t need to attend as long as all consents have been completed. We will:

Ask when your period was

Perform an internal ultrasound

We may take a blood test depending on the scan result

We perform an ultrasound to assess the growth of your endometrium and see if any follicles are developing in your ovaries. Depending on what the endometrial thickness and follicular development is, we will advise what to do next. You may need to return for a few scans before you’re ready for embryo transfer.

Once you have a follicle measuring more than 14mm we will start to take a blood sample to check hormones.

Once endometrium is more than 8mm and a follicle is more than 14mm we’ll give you medication and show you how to administer it. Your case will be discussed at our daily meeting and you will be informed of the next steps. Once you’re ready for embryo transfer, we’ll pass your notes to the embryology team who will be in contact with the next steps.

Embryo Transfer

The embryologist will advise when you should take the booster injection and start progesterone medication. Timing of this is very important so please follow these instructions carefully.

They will give you a date and time to attend for embryo transfer around 5 days after starting progesterone. One adult can accompany you for the procedure, but children cannot come into the procedure room.

Test Results (Treatment Outcome)

We will give you a date to carry out a home pregnancy test and you should let us know the result via email.

See our Frequently Asked Questions – NHSGGC for more advice before and after embryo transfer.

HMG FET

1^st Appointment

This appointment lasts 30 minutes and both partners should attend. We will:

Check e-consents are correct

Sign off photographic ID

Check BMI

Check smear and routine screening is in date

Administer a prostap injection to downregulate your cycle

If you don’t have a regular cycle, we will take a blood sample and give you the prostap injection away to administer yourself once the blood result is back

Answer any questions you may have about the treatment

2^nd Appointment

This will be around 2 weeks after your 1^st appointment and will last 20-30 minutes. Both partners don’t need to attend as long as all consents have been completed. We will:

Ask if you have had a period since prostap

Perform an internal ultrasound to assess the uterus and ovaries

We may take a blood test depending on the scan result

Give you medication away to start and explain how to take them

Make a return appointment for around 8 days later

3^rd Appointment

We will perform an ultrasound to assess the growth of your endometrium and the follicle development in your ovaries. Depending on what the response is, we will advise what to do next.

If endometrium is more than 8mm and you have mature follicles, we’ll give you medication and show you how to administer it. We’ll pass your notes to the embryology team who will be in contact with the next steps.

If endometrium is less than 8mm we’ll arrange for another scan appointment 1-3 days later.

Embryo Transfer

The embryologist will advise when you should stop downregulation medication, take the booster and start progesterone medication. Timing of this is very important so please follow these instructions carefully.

They will give you a date and time to attend for embryo transfer around 5 days after starting progesterone. One adult can accompany you for the procedure but children cannot come into the procedure room.

Test Results (Treatment Outcome)

We will give you a date to carry out a home pregnancy test and you should let us know the result via email.

See our Frequently Asked Questions – NHSGGC for more advice before and after embryo transfer.

Natural FET

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Egg Donation

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Semen Analysis

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Surgical Sperm Retrieval

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Sperm Storage

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Embryo Storage

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Egg Storage

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Further Information

For more information about individual topics, please use the links below:

Suggestions

We are constantly striving to improve the quality of our service to you and value your opinions about how we could do that. Your comments and suggestions can be delivered in one of several ways:

While you are at the clinic, ask for a suggestion sheet, fill it in and put it into the suggestions box located in the waiting room.
Speak to a member of staff whilst you are at the clinic.
Write to the Assisted Conception Service, Ground Floor, Queen Elizabeth Building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Alexandra Parade Glasgow G31 2ER.

Clinic Feedback

We would appreciate if anyone who has recently completed treatment with us could review the service they received by completing the short questionnaire on the HFEA website. It will ask you 5 short questions and take no more than 5 minutes to complete.

How to Complain

Please ask to speak to the ACS Senior Charge Nurse if you are not happy with your treatment, or the treatment of someone you care about.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can contact the NHSGGC Complaints Dept:

NHSGGC Complaints Department
North East Sector Offices,
Stobhill Hospital
300 Balgrayhill Road
Glasgow
G21 3UR

Contact Information

Telephone: 0141 201 4500
Email us: complaints@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Information for who is eligible for NHS Funded Treatment in Scotland

Eligible patients who are new referrals from 1st April 2017 may be offered up to three cycles of IVF/ICSI where there is a reasonable expectation of a live birth. Eligible Patients referred before the 1st April 2017 may be offered up to two cycles of IVF/ICSI where there is a reasonable expectation of a live birth.

Referral for treatment can only be made if all access criteria are fulfilled, as noted below. Should the first cycle of treatment be unsuccessful all access criteria must be met before a subsequent cycle can commence.

Definition of infertility for couples

Infertility with an appropriate cause, of any duration

Unexplained infertility of two years – heterosexual couples
Unexplained infertility following six cycles of donor insemination

Sterilisation

Neither partner to have undergone voluntary sterilisation or who have undertaken reversal of sterilisation.

Stable Relationship

Couples must have been cohabiting in a stable relationship for a minimum of two years.

Legal Parenthood

Couples where only one partner has legal parenthood of a child (or a biological child) can access NHS funded treatment as long as all other access criteria are met in full.
Same sex couples will not be eligible if they already have a child in the home and both have consented to legal parenthood of that child.

Lifestyle

There is a responsibility on patients to fulfil the following access criteria in the interests of the welfare of the child and the effectiveness of treatment. The clinic may conduct tests to ensure that patients adhere to these criteria and, in the event of a positive result, patients will be advised that treatment cannot be started.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

The female partner must have a BMI above 18.5 and below 30. Couples should be aware that a normal BMI is best for both partners. Please see Overweight and Fertility When Trying to Get Pregnant | Tommy’s for more information and advice on BMI when trying to conceive.

Smoking and Vaping

Smoking status must be assessed prior to referral for treatment.

Both partners must be non-smoking and non-vaping (including e-cigarettes, nicotine replacement etc) for at least three months before treatment and couples must continue to be non-smoking during treatment.

Alcohol and Drugs

Both partners must abstain from illegal and abusive substances
Both partners must be Methadone free for at least one year prior to treatment
Neither partner should drink alcohol prior to or during the period of treatment

NHS Funding for IVF/ ICSI treatment

Definition of One Full Cycle of NHS Funded Treatment

One full cycle includes ovulation induction, egg retrieval, fertilisation, transfer of fresh embryos followed by the freezing of suitable embryos and the subsequent replacement of these, provided the couple still fulfil the access criteria. If suitable embryos are frozen these should be transferred before the next stimulated treatment cycle.

No individual (male or female) can access more than the number of NHS funded IVF treatment cycles supported by NHS Scotland under any circumstances, even if they are in a new relationship.

Number of Cycles initiated by the date of the female’s 40th Birthday

Up to three cycles of IVF/ICSI may be undertaken where there is a reasonable expectation of a live birth. Clinical judgement should be applied to determine this, using an assessment of ovarian reserve before the first cycle. If there has been no or a poor response to ovarian stimulation (<3 eggs retrieved) in the first cycle no further IVF/ICSI treatment will be funded.

Fresh treatment cycles must be initiated by the date of the female partner’s 40th birthday and all subsequent frozen embryo transfers must be completed before the woman’s 41st birthday.

Patients should not be placed at the end of the waiting list following an unsuccessful treatment cycle. There could be a gap of 6-11 months between fresh cycles of IVF for patients who remain eligible.

Number of Cycles if aged 40 to 42 years old

One cycle of treatment may be funded for couples if the female has never previously had IVF treatment, if there is no evidence of poor ovarian reserve and if in the treating clinician’s view it is in the patients’ interest.

Discussion regarding the additional implications of IVF and pregnancy at this age should be undertaken.

Eligible patients must be screened before the female partners 42nd birthday.
Eligible patients must have reached the top of the IVF waiting list (which should not exceed 12 months).
Eligible patients should be consented and a cycle of treatment initiated before their 42nd birthday.

NHS Funding for Frozen Embryos

Should circumstances change and couples no longer meet the NHS eligibility criteria, self funding for any future transfers will be required.

Number of Cycles For Those That Have Previously Self Funded

NHS funding may be given to those patients who have previously paid for IVF treatment, if in the treating clinician’s view, the individual clinical circumstances warrant further treatment.

Please also see Access Criteria for NHS Funded IVF Treatments – links below.

Reasons for not offering treatment

BMI less than 18.5 or greater than 30
smoking or vaping
we are obliged by law to take into account the welfare of any child likely to be born after fertility treatment. In order to assess this, we may ask your permission to contact other professionals. There may be circumstances where treatment cannot be offered if concerns are raised with respect to the welfare of any child born as a result of treatment.
certain complex medical issues where pregnancy would carry significant risks
Same sex couples will not be eligible if they already have a child in the home and both have consented to legal parenthood of that child.

How is an ‘AMH’ test result used?

an AMH test result is used to decide which treatment protocol to use
a blood sample will be taken from you to measure the amount of a hormone called AMH
the result of that test will help us decide which drug stimulation protocol is best for you during your treatment. Please note that your AMH test result will not be used to decide whether you are offered treatment or not
a high AMH level raises the possibility that you may over-respond to your treatment (i.e. too many eggs will be produced), increasing the risk of ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome
a low AMH level raises the possibility that you may respond poorly to your treatment, i.e. only a few eggs are produced

How to refer a patient

All patients should be referred by their GP or Doctor at their local hospital. We ask that a number of tests are performed before you are referred. For the female partner these are: an up to date smear test, a vaginal swab for Chlamydia, a progesterone check for ovulation and for the female to provide evidence of 2 MMR vaccinations. For the male partner this is at least one sperm count. Under certain circumstances 2 sperm counts may be required.

Once we have received the referral letter and the results from the investigations required, an appointment will be made for you to attend the ACS Unit to see a Doctor or a Nurse.

Referral to Glasgow Royal Infirmary ACS Unit – self funding patients (Glasgow Royal Fertility Clinic)

Patients may make an appointment to speak to one of the GRFC consultants by contacting the admin team on 0141 956 0509 (option 4). Please have as much information as possible relating to any investigations you may have had performed or any treatment you may have had.

If appropriate, arrangements may be made for a blood test to assess Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and a sperm count prior to your appointment.

2025 News

The ACS website is being updated with information about the clinic, services and treatments. Our list of FAQs is also being revised to allow patients a prompt answer to any questions they have. Please check regularly for any updates.

New Nurse Email

In an effort to improve how patients can communicate with the nurses, an email address will now replace the nurses’ phone for patients currently having treatment. The email address will be on your paperwork from the clinic. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions – NHSGGC in case your question is answered here.

Please note, for treatment bookings, admin and appointment queries you should contact us on the relevant phone numbers available here About Us – NHSGGC

2021 News

23rd December – Festive period operational hours

The ACS will be closed from the 25th of December, reopening on the 28th of December and from the 1st of January, reopening on the 3rd of January.

6th January – COVID Vaccine Update

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published updated advice on 30 December 2020 to advise that women who are trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination.

Getting vaccinated before pregnancy will help prevent COVID-19 infection and its serious consequences. In some cases, women will need to make a decision about whether to delay pregnancy until after the vaccine becomes available to them. There is no evidence to suggest these type of vaccines cause issues with fertility.

Further information can be found on the following websites should you require.

6th January – COVID Update

Following the recent announcement made by the Scottish Government on the 4th of January we can confirm our clinic remains open and we are continuing to offer treatment in a safe environment for all patients.

Government guidance also states that individuals can leave home for medical appointments however if you have any questions please contact us.

January – Measles, Mumps & Rubella Vaccinations

We require all patients starting a cycle of treatment to have 2 MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) vaccinations. If you have already provided us with paperwork to confirm this, you do not need to do so in subsequent cycles. If you are unsure if you have had 2 MMR vaccines please check with your GP in the first instance.

2020 News

29th June COVID-19 Update

Thank you for your continued understanding and patience during such difficult circumstances and while awaiting the gradual re-introduction of fertility services. We are delighted that we have been able resume frozen embryo transfers for patients who were unable to proceed with a fresh transfer and those who had their frozen embryo transfers cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

We are now ready to expand treatment for any patients with frozen embryos and invite patients who wish to initiate a cycle of treatment to contact us from the 6th of July. Please remember that in order to provide treatment that is safe for patients and staff and to allow physical distancing, we are running at a reduced capacity. While we will endeavour to provide your treatment as soon as possible, we may not be able to accommodate patients with their subsequent cycle and there may be a wait for treatment.

We are also ready to begin arranging treatment for patients who had a fresh cycle of IVF or ICSI booked and had their treatment paused before egg collection. We will start contacting these patients from Tuesday the 30th of June and where appropriate, make a plan for treatment. If you do not receive a call from us straight away, please do not worry, we will contact you as soon as we can.

Patients who wish to book a cycle of unstimulated IUI can book treatment from the 13th of July. Unfortunately, we are not yet able to resume IUI treatments that require ovulation induction with gonadotrophin injections. As soon as we are able to offer this treatment, we will update our website to advise.

Please remember that in order to provide treatment that is safe for patients and staff and to allow physical distancing, we are running at a reduced capacity. While we will endeavour to provide your treatment as soon as possible, we may not be able to accommodate patients with their subsequent cycle and there may be a wait for treatment.

We recognise and understand that the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the deferral of treatment is a very difficult and unsettling time for you. You may feel a sense of loss at not being able to proceed with your treatment at this time, feelings of being alone and uncertain about the future. We therefore, wish to continue to prioritise and support you at this time by offering video conferencing and telephone support with the fertility counsellors.

In order to make a video conferencing or telephone appointment for counselling please contact us, copying us both into the email addresses. Please provide us with brief details about yourself along with your mobile number, so that we can call you to arrange a suitable appointment.

22nd May COVID-19 Update

Glasgow Royal Infirmary Assisted Conception Service has been permitted by the HFEA to restart treatment.

We are delighted to be able to confirm that Glasgow Royal Infirmary ACS has been given permission by the HFEA to recommence fertility treatments. We are aware many of our patients are keen to commence their treatment and have already been in touch to find out when they can start.
To provide safe and effective treatments in combination with minimising patient and staff risk of Covid 19 we have introduced many changes to our environment and ways of working.
We understand patients are very keen to have specific dates for starting treatment cycles however we need to put processes in place to keep everyone safe. While we will do all we can to begin your treatment as promptly as possible, the restrictions under which all fertility clinics are now operating mean we will have to monitor the number of cycles carefully which will reduce capacity at this time.
We plan to start treatment with frozen embryo transfers, firstly prioritising patients who were unable to have a fresh embryo transfer and secondly those patients who had a frozen embryo cycle cancelled. We will start contacting these patients from Tuesday 26th of May and where appropriate, make a treatment plan. The next group of patient to be contacted will be those who had a fresh cycle of IVF or ICSI treatment booked and had their treatment paused before egg collection.

We will make contact with you as soon as possible

If we had to postpone your treatment and you do not receive a call from us straight away, please do not worry, we will contact you as soon as we can.
As we re-commence our services from next week our phone lines will be extremely busy so we would ask for your patience so our teams can speak to as many patients as possible.
We have been working closely with Fertility Network Scotland who you can contact for support, advice or further information. Telephone: 01294 279162 Mobile: 07411752688
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

15th May COVID-19 Update

We understand this has been a challenging and distressing time for our patients and would like to reassure you that the clinic is working to ensure all the necessary protocols and procedures are in place to resume services as soon as possible.

On Monday 18th May 2020 we will submit our application to the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) to restart our services. Following approval from the HFEA clinic staff will begin to contact patients. Please be assured we will be in touch as soon as possible.

6th May COVID-19 Update

Following the HFEA announcement that IVF clinics can apply to reopen from week commencing 11th May and we would like to update our patients on our current position.
To enable us, and all UK clinics, to satisfy the HFEA criteria for safe opening, we must review and revise our current procedures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and infection while ensuring the safety of our patients and staff. We are working hard with the Scottish Government and local NHS Health Board to have detailed plans in place for resuming treatment as safely and as timely as we possibly can.
We appreciate that all patients are very keen to restart their treatment and that this wait is very difficult for you. If we had to postpone your treatment due to the COVID-19 closure, we will contact you directly as soon as we can to provide a timeline and treatment plan.

Please note: currently, we are unable to provide specific dates and timescales for resuming fertility treatments. When we have this information we will update our website immediately with further details.

Further information can be found on the HFEA website www.hfea.gov.uk

21st April COVID-19 Update

Many of the GRI ACS staff (Doctors, Nurses, Scientific Staff & Admin) have been redeployed within NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde to support critical areas during this COVID19 pandemic.
However there is a small number of core staff available to answer queries, please contact us on 0141 211 5673 if required. Due to the lower level of staff on hand please leave a message with your details and we will contact you as soon as we can.

In light of the dynamic and changing nature of the situation and the guidance from government, unfortunately, we are unable to provide details or dates as to when we will be able to restart treatment cycles. There may be further changes to our service provision and if so we will let you know about these as soon as possible.

We are closely monitoring the situation, taking guidance and working together with the HFEA, BFS (British Fertility Society) and ARCS (Association of Reproduction Clinical Scientists) to enable us to provide treatment as soon as it is safe to do so.

A core team of staff within the unit are currently working to ensure the clinic will be ready to reopen and offer treatment as soon we are permitted.

In order to make a video conferencing or telephone appointment please contact us, copying us both into the email addresses. Please provide us with brief details about yourself along with your mobile number, so that we can call you to arrange a suitable appointment.

COVID-19

Unfortunately due to the current COVID19 pandemic we have taken the difficult decision to stop assisted conception treatment with immediate effect at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Guidance has been taken from NHS GGC Scotland, Scottish Government & European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) to postpone treatment and ensure patient safety.

Those due to have treatment at our unit will be personally contacted by telephone and advised next steps, due to the high volumes of calls this may take some time, please accept our apologies.

Updates regarding resumption of the ACS services will be published on the website or you may receive a telephone call in due course.

Please be aware waiting lists positions will not be affected and all patients will resume treatment from the point of cancellation.

Please be aware that it is likely we will not be fully staffed at all times and may be deployed to other critical areas within the NHS due to resourcing pressures.

If you need to speak to a member of staff please call 0141 211 5673 and leave a voicemail, we will contact you as soon as possible.

Please do not attend unless you have been asked to or an appointment has been pre-arranged and we ask you attend alone.

For support throughout this period please access ACS counselling service who have moved to using video conferencing and telephone support or use services offered by Fertility Network.

As per Public Health Guidelines please self isolate for 7 days:

if you have an acute respiratory infection (with at least one of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath);
or you have been in the previous 14 days in a country with community transmission of the virus according to the CDC;
or you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19;
or you have been in a hospital where COVID19 patients are hospitalised, If you have symptoms of COVID-19: Phone your GP or NHS 24 (111) if your symptoms:
If you’ve developed a new continuous cough and/or a fever/high temperature in the last 7 days, stay at home for 7 days from the start of your symptoms even if you think your symptoms are mild.
You should not come to any appointments in a clinical setting.
are severe or you have shortness of breath
worsen during home isolation
have not improved after 7 days

You should also phone your GP or NHS 24 (111) if you develop breathlessness or it worsens, especially if you:

are 60 years old or over
have underlying poor health
have heart or lung problems
have a weakened immune system, including cancer
have diabetes
If you have a medical emergency, phone 999 and tell them you have COVID-19 symptoms.

Brexit

The clinic is working with the HFEA to plan for Brexit. These plans are updated as new information comes to light.

2017 News

Technology and Innovation

GRI ACS is looking forward to introducing further new innovative equipment into the ACS laboratories in July 2017.

Additional investment from NHSGGC and the Scottish Government continues to enable the ACS laboratories to remain at the forefront of new technology, ensuring that only state of the art equipment is used for patient treatment.

To enable introduction of this new equipment, we have planned a routine laboratory closure for three weeks between Wednesday 5th – Friday 21st July to allow the new equipment to be installed and tested. Existing equipment will also undertake mandatory annually servicing during this essential shutdown period.

We look forward to continuing to further improve the service we provide.

Patient Experience Survey Report

In May 2017, we invited 70 patients approaching the end of their fertility treatment to participate in an experience survey to evaluate the standard of service they received during their treatment with us.

We had a 100% response rate with 94.2% of respondents reporting that they’d had a positive experience during their treatment at Glasgow Royal Infirmary ACS. Whilst this overwhelmingly positive response is very encouraging, we are constantly striving to make further improvements to the service we provide, and therefore all feedback has been noted to allow us to develop our service further.

Please take a moment to look at the ‘Patient Feedback’ display in the ACS waiting room to see areas of your treatment where we aim to deliver further improvement and some positive feedback from patients that have already received treatment with us.

Poster Winner 2017

The ACS is proud to announce that one of our Embryologists [Catherine Beaton] won the Association of Clinical Embryologists (ACE) Pre-registrant Poster prize at the Fertility 2017 conference held in Edinburgh in January. The poster was entitled “Pregnancy outcomes following fresh or vitrified embryo transfer of non-top quality embryos. Should we change what we freeze?”

The prize is paid registration to the Fertility 2018 conference which will be held in Liverpool.

Well done Cathy! Another proud moment for the ACS scientific team.

New Consultant Gynaecologist

The ACS is delighted to announce the appointment of our new consultant gynaecologist, Claire Banks. Claire trained at Glasgow University and worked as a consultant within Clyde. Claire will start her post here at the ACS in January 2017.

Waiting List Targets

The ACS is pleased to inform couples who are being referred from their GP that the current average waiting time from GP referral to the first ART clinic appointment at the ACS is 6-7 months.

Poster Abstracts

The ACS is proud to announce that four poster abstracts, submitted by the scientific staff, have successfully been accepted for the Fertility 2017 conference, to be held in Edinburgh in January 2017.

Determining a sample size for storage tank audit – Daniel M Collins
Pregnancy outcomes following fresh or vitrified embryo transfer of non-top quality embryos. Should we change what we freeze? – Catherine Beaton
Patient specific dissociation of zona pellucida observed in time-lapse culture – Susan A. Moran
The challenges with legal parenthood consent: Can we remove the risk? – Linsey White

2016 News

Counselling Survey Results

In July/August 2016 the ACS invited patients attending the counselling service to participate in a satisfaction survey. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of respondents reporting that they’d use the service again and 100% reporting that they’d recommend to others to use the service. Our counsellor Isobel O’Neill received extremely positive feedback, and she is now joined by our second counsellor Alison Elliot. In respect of this, waiting times for counselling appointments are now down to approximately two weeks.

Patient Survey Results

In June 2016, the ACS invited patients receiving embryo transfer to participate in a satisfaction survey. The response was good with over 90% of respondents reporting that they’d had a positive experience at the suite. Whilst the response was so encouraging, we are constantly striving for improvement and all comments have been noted for ongoing service development.

Poster Winner 2016

The ACS is proud to announce that one of our Embryologists [George Hughes] won the Pre-registrant Poster prize at the Association of Clinical Embryologists (ACE) conference held in Newcastle in January 2016. The poster entitled ‘Volatile organic compounds in CE marked consumables in a clinical IVF laboratory’ explored the levels of volatile compounds given off when opening laboratory plasticware and the implications for use in an assisted conception unit.] The prize was a paid registration to the Fertility 2017 conference, held in Edinburgh in January 2017.

2015 News

Facing the Future Together, Chairman’s Award Winners 2015

In late 2015, a series of awards were made to departments across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, celebrating the dedication and success of the hard work of the staff. The ACS staff members were honoured as the winners in the ‘Our People’ category for the Acute Services, Women and Children’s.

This award was made for teamwork and notably the successful achievement of the new waiting times targets throughout the relocation of clinical services back to the refurbished Royal Infirmary site.

Press Release October 2015

The refurbished Assisted Conception Service (ACS) is achieving its highest ever success rates since moving back to Glasgow Royal Infirmary a year ago.

The state-of-the-art facility treats patients from across the West of Scotland and beyond and is seeing a 54% positive pregnancy test rate for all fresh embryo transfers – the highest rate unit has ever recorded.

The service now offers seven day access which means all patients are offered individualised treatment which meets their own clinical need.

Patients also now benefit from the use of time-lapse technology which allows continuous assessment of their IVF embryos, whilst enabling them to remain undisturbed in optimal conditions in the incubator. This has the advantage of allowing embryos to develop in culture for longer and thereby improves the ability to select the best embryo for transfer with the highest chance of achieving a pregnancy.

Dr Helen Lyall, Lead Consultant, said: “I am delighted that the unit is seeing such an increase in success rates and we hope this continues to grow.

“One of the main benefits of the newly refurbished unit is that all functions are now located within the one area. Prior to the refurbishment, services were spread across the Glasgow Royal Infirmary site.

“The investment in the facility and state of the art equipment has increased capacity at this new facility and has also enabled us to treat patients within the 12 months target.”

Dr Helen Lyall and Isabel Traynor, Senior Charge Nurse, have made a massive contribution to the National Infertility Group established by Scottish Government Ministers in 2010.

Their input, along with that of the wider team of doctors, nurses, embryologists and administrative staff has been instrumental in achieving equity of access across Scotland for patients requiring assisted conception treatment.

July 2015

Dr Helen Lyall (Consultant) and Isabel Traynor (Senior Charge Nurse) from the Assisted Conception Unit were invited to attend the Queen’s Garden Party at the Palace of Holyrood on Wednesday 1st July. This was in recognition of the work both have done for the Scottish Government as part of the National Infertility Group.

This work has been instrumental in achieving equity of access across Scotland for patients needing assisted conception treatment. This followed an exciting year for the assisted conception services in Glasgow with a new ‘state of the art’ facility in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, opened by the Minister for Health Shona Robison in February 2015.

The ACS laboratory had 2 additional EmbryoScopes installed in July which now means we have a total of 6 in place. This is the highest number of EmbryoScopes in any clinic in Scotland, reflecting the high number of patients we treat. We can now ensure that all patients have their embryos incubated in time-lapsed imaging systems. This helps us to select the best embryo to transfer and thereby give the highest chance of pregnancy.

We have also had approval for a new laser system to continue our improvements to our Pre Genetic Diagnostic service whereby genetic diseases can be screened for to ensure non- affected embryos are replaced and children are born healthy.