The Centre for Reproductive Medicine at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust offers Embryoscope time lapse monitoring as an optional extra to IVF or ICSI treatment. The Embryoscope provides digital images every 10 minutes while embryos are in the IVF laboratory, which can be from 1 to 6 days.
The unprecedented detail of early embryonic development helps clinical embryologists to choose the embryo(s) with the best chances of implantation to transfer or store frozen. Moreover, embryos do not need to be removed from the incubator for daily observation, so they experience a more stable environment.
There is conflicting evidence about whether Embryoscope and other time lapse imaging systems increase the chances of pregnancy. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority classes time-lapse monitoring as an ‘add-on’ and grades ‘add-ons’ using a traffic light system based upon its interpretation of the evidence available. See https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/explore-all-treatments/treatment-add-ons/.
At CRM, Embryoscope monitoring is a popular option that has been available for over 6 years. The alternative to Embryoscope is a specialised IVF/ICSI incubator (BT37) containing an identical environment, but without the ability to take pictures. In our experience, the average pregnancy rate for people who choose Embryoscope is consistently higher than for those who do not choose it. We have analysed our own data to reach this conclusion and our results are presented in the table. On average, 6.1% more patients became pregnant following an embryo transfer in the embryoscope group than the non-embryoscope group.
The table also shows results for patients who meet a certain set of characteristics. We call this our ‘quality control’ group. This helps us to undertake ‘like-for-like’ comparison, in similar types of patients, which makes the comparison more rigorous. For the ‘quality control’ group, use or not of embryoscope is the key point of comparison. On average, 11.4% more such patients became pregnant if they used embryoscope.
Embryoscope monitoring is not NHS-funded. However, generous support from two local charities, WPH Charitable Foundation and ‘Gift of a Life’, enabled us to set up an Embryoscope service through a research clinic led by Professor Geraldine Hartshorne, Scientific Director of CRM. Professor Hartshorne is an international expert in human egg and embryo development and an active researcher at the University of Warwick. Most patients using the Embryoscope also opt into our research programmes, supporting our work in understanding fertility and improving treatments for the future. However, participation in research is voluntary, and the embryoscope is available as an option, regardless of whether or not you choose to participate in research.
Patients using the Embryoscope pay a fee, currently £390, to cover the running costs. Embryo images are available. People who would like a detailed discussion about their embryos can request a consultation with Professor Geraldine Hartshorne. This can be useful when considering further treatment or awaiting a follow-up consultation with a medical consultant.
CRM patients wishing to book an Embryoscope clinic appointment or an Embryoscope follow-up appointment, or for any other Embryoscope-related queries, please contact Kerri Geraghty, Secretary to the Embryoscope Clinic, on 02476 967528, kerri.geraghty@uhcw.nhs.uk
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON BLOOD TESTING DUE TO COVID-19
Shielding Patients in very high risk for COVID Group
All people who have been identified as very high risk (requiring shielding) for COVID are in the process of being contacted by their clinician regarding their ongoing care. If you require a blood test whilst shielding as part of your care, appointment details including when and where your blood test will be carried out will be sent to you via a text message from SwiftQueue who manage our blood test bookings.
If you have regular blood tests and have been asked to have these, please ensure you have blood forms at home available; if you haven’t please contact your specialty to have some sent to you in advance of your blood tests.
Older People and Vulnerable Adults
People who are in the groups identified by the government as higher risk e.g are over 70 or receive a yearly flu jab, but are not in the very high risk (requiring shielding) group, can attend our normal blood test clinics. The blood test clinics and waiting areas have been adapted so that social distancing can be maintained.
Please check the locations on the map below.
Click on the map for information about phlebotomy clinics in Coventry. You can book an appointment online at the locations in red.
Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test. Click on the ‘Book Online’ button above. Booking an appointment helps patients, their carers and family members to plan their hospital visit better, helping to reduce clinic waiting times and enabling patients to be seen much more quickly.
Location: Outpatients Department, on the ground floor. Opening hours: 8am-4.45pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).
Children under 16 years old will need to book online here.
Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test, click on the ‘Book Online’ button above. Patients from Rugby and the surrounding areas are able to access the Friends Blood Taking Unit at the Hospital of St Cross.
Referrals for blood tests can be from GP's, practice nurses or from hospital consultants. Patients are also able to leave other samples, such as urine, which have been collected at home, at the hospital's Pathology Reception.
Location: Near Brookfield House, just off North Road - map here. Opening hours: The blood taking clinic sessions for adults and children are listed below:
Monday -Friday 7am-4:45pm Appointment only
Wednesday Evening 5pm-7pm Suspended due to COVID
Saturday Morning 7am-10pm Suspended due to COVID
April 2020 NEW - This Clinic is now by appointment. Please book an appointment before attending for a blood test. Click on the ‘Book Online’ button above.
Address: Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry CV1 4FS Location: Access is via the main doors, the Phlebotomy team are in Area A. Opening hours: Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). 8am–4.45pm
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
Specialist Tests - There are a small number of specialist tests where blood needs to be taken on a hospital site as the sample must be transferred to the laboratory rapidly for the test to be undertaken. Click here for a list of these specialist tests and to find out more.