Yes, IVF patients in the UK have the right to have their stored embryos transferred to another HFEA-licensed clinic. The clinic holds the embryos as custodian, not as owner. Neither the clinic nor any other party can use, destroy, or transfer embryos without the explicit consent of the patients who created them.
The process for requesting a transfer involves a few clear steps.
First, the patient must identify a receiving clinic that holds a current HFEA licence and has agreed to accept the transfer.
Second, the patient must provide written consent to the transfer to both the sending and receiving clinic.
Third, the sending clinic must prepare the necessary documentation including chain-of-custody records, patient identity and consent records, storage history, and any relevant clinical information. These documents must accompany the shipment.
Fourth, the physical transfer is made using a vapour-phase dry shipper. The sending clinic is responsible for safe packaging and appropriate courier selection.
Fifth, the receiving clinic must confirm receipt, verify the samples against the documentation, and update their own records to reflect the new storage location.
The sending clinic has no right to delay or withhold the transfer where the patient has made a valid request and the receiving clinic meets all regulatory requirements.
Cryolab supplies dry shippers and transport documentation support for UK IVF clinics. Visit cryolab.co.uk“>Cryolab
