Pregnancy Rates - April 2010

In September 2009, our embryology laboratory re-opened after an upgrade to improve the air quality. This coincided with other improvements to the laboratory culture system as a whole, including new incubators in which the embryos are grown. At the same time, we have started to carry out more blastocyst culture. This involves growing the embryos in the laboratory for 5 days, rather than the standard 2, before they are replaced back in to the womb. This allows us to better select the embryos that are more likely to give rise to a pregnancy. All of these changes have resulted in an increased pregnancy rate, across all age groups of patients treated. Please see "our results" for our latest pregnancy rates.

Laboratory Upgrade - June 2009

During the month of August 2009, the laboratory suite in the CRM is undergoing an upgrade to the air filtration system. Currently, the laboratory is supplied with clean, filtered air but this system is being improved to provide HEPA filtered air, which will make the environment even cleaner. Unfortunately, this will involve the laboratories being out of action for 5 weeks, but the improvement in the air quality should be worth this wait, as it should improve the environment in which we are culturing our embryos.

We thank you for your patience during this time, as we are improving the quality of the laboratory suite for all future patients.

Charity GOAL Ball - June 2009

This year, the Gift of a Life (GOAL) charity is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The charity was initially set up to raise funds to open an IVF unit in Coventry and as a result of all the hard work and dedication of those involved, the CRM was founded. Initially, a sum of £2,000 was raised, to buy the equipment needed to set up the laboratory. In the last 20 years GOAL has continued to fund-raise for the CRM, purchasing much needed equipment and improving the ambience of the centre, for patients. Recently GOAL paid for the fabulous re-design of the courtyard outside the centre, providing a calm and tranquil environment for patients to sit in, when they attend.

To celebrate the 20th anniversity of the charity, we are holding a Grand Ball, on Friday 2nd October, at the Royal Court Hotel in Keresley. The tickets will be priced £45 and any money raised will go towards the CRM. The evening will consist of a Bucks Fizz reception, a 3 course meal and dancing to a live band. We very much hope you will be able to come and join us celebrate.

For tickets, please contact Sue Montgomery on 024 7696 8976 or by e-mail at sue.montgomery@uhcw.nhs.uk.

CRM initiative goes national after regional success - June 2009

The Centre for Reproductive Medicine was crowned 'best in the West Midlands' at the regional Health and Social Care awards last month, coming top in its category of 'Innovative Health and Social Care Technology Award'.

Malcolm Stamp, Chief Executive of UHCW, commented: "To win this award was a fantastic accomplishment for University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. We offer state-of-the-art facilities as part of our mission to provide excellent healthcare, and to have been judged as the best in our region for our use of innovative technology is a credit to the work of staff. I would like to offer my congratulations and wish the CRM team luck in July's national HSCA Awards."

CRM successfully maintains BSI standards for quality - March 2009

The Centre for Reproductive Medicine have continued to maintain quality standards of service since successfully being certified for ISO 9001:2000 back in October 2007. The standards (ISO 9001:2000) have recently been revised and updated standards (ISO 9001:2008) are now in place. Staff at the Centre were delighted to have successfully passed their assessment and transition to the new standards.

Lisa Martin commented: "I am overjoyed that we have successfully made the transition to the new standards. Since we introduced a Quality Management System into the Centre we have noticed a huge improvement in the way the Centre runs. We feel that it is very important to take the opinions of our customers on board and are therefore continually monitoring patient and staff comments/suggestions in order to improve the service".

Richard Kennedy appointed Trust Medical Director - August 2008

Richard Kennedy, who has more than 20 years experience helping couples with fertility problems conceive, has been appointed permanent Medical Director at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

Richard Kennedy is the Director at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine (CRM) and is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. He has been acting as interim Medical Director since September 2007 but was today (Thursday 28th August 2008) appointed as full time Medical Director of the Trust.

Mr Kennedy completed his specialist training in 1988 when he began his consultant career in Coventry. It was here he set up the IVF service in 1990. As well as leading the infertility service he is an experienced gynaecologist with expertise in minimal access surgery and the treatment of endometriosis.

Phil Townshend, Chairman of the Trust, said: "Richard Kennedy is a highly respected medical practitioner who is much loved not just in Coventry but in the broader community for hte happiness he has brought to so many families through his work leading the Centre for Reproductive Medicine. I am confident he will be an outstanding appointment as Medical Director".

Mr Kennedy will continue to carry out some of his clinical commitments in the CRM.

New Outside Courtyard for CRM - March 2008

A new garden courtyard situated outside the Centre for Reproductive Medicine (CRM) has been praised by patients, visitors and staff. The courtyard has been paid for by the Gift of a Life Appeal (GOAL), the Centre for Reproductive Medicine's registered charity which is kindly supported every year by patients as well as staff.

Sally Holland from the charity said: "The new courtyard is very welcoming and has brightened up the area outside the Centre".

Sharon Peake, who has two children thanks to successful treatment at the Centre said: "When you first come to the hospital for treatment you are always apprehensive and it can be very daunting. The courtyard helps to make you feel more at home".

Stephen Keay, Consultant in Reproductive Medicine from the Trust said: "We would like to thank the charity, GOAL, for making this happen and for their continued support. With their help we are able to provide additional things that make the difference when patients attend the Centre for Reproductive Medicine.

Blastocyst Culture - January 2008

The Centre for Reproductive Medicine is now offering blastocyst culture as a first line treatment to patients. What this means is that the embryos are kept in the laboratory for an extra 2-4 days, allowing them time to grow and develop more fully, before the most promising one or two embryos are transferred to the uterus. Only some embryos have the capacity to grow to the blastocyst stage, and so this allows the embryologists to identify the most promising embryo more effectively than previously. We hope and expect that this will improve pregnancy rates. The method is also useful for selecting the best from among embryos that have been stored frozen.

If you have any questions about this, or any other aspect of treatment, please do not hesitate to contat the clinic.

CRM Achieves BSI Recognition for Quality - October 2007

The Centre for Reproductive Medicine has successfully achieved certification for ISO 9001:2000. This is a Quality Management System approved externally by BSI (commonly known as the kite mark). The project, which has been ongoing since June 2006, has been led by Quality Manager, Lisa Martin, and has involved a lot of hard work from staff at the Centre. ISO 9001:2000 ensures that the CRM provides a quality service to its customers with continual improvement. The Centre will be assessed bi-annually to ensure that this certification is maintained.

Lisa Martin commented: "I am thrilled that we have achieved recognition for the hard work put in by all staff within the CRM over the last 18 months. We now need to continue to work hard to maintain our certification and to continually improve the service for our customers".

Double delight as twins start nursery

A couple who had twins after IVF treatment at University Hospital's Centre for Reproductive Medicine have celebrated their toddlers' first day at nursery. Sharon Peake gave birth to Luckia and Jacob following two miscarriages and after her third attempt at IVF treatment at the hospital.
 

Speaking about their first day at Bedworth Heath Nursery, the proud mum said: "I don't know how I feel about it as I have never left them and don't know what they will be like. But they never come to look for me so I'm sure they will be fine."
 

The 42-year-old and husband Dave, 46, tried IVF - in vitro fertilisation treatment - after suffering unexplained fertility problems. The twins were born a month premature in May 2003 with Luckia weighing in at 4lbs 2ozs and Jacob weighing 6lb and 6oz.
 

Sharon, from Coventry, describes her twin toddlers as "extra special" and said: "I feel very blessed as they are such perfect children. I want to say a great big thanks to the Centre of Reproductive Medicine at Walsgrave as without the fabulous team it wouldn't have happened."