Written question WQ100441

The absence of a key staff member meant the Wales Fertility Institute at Neath Port Talbot Hospital was unable to meet regulatory requirements. As a result, the commencement of new In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatments was paused temporarily. We fully sympathise with the anxiety this has caused amongst patients, and we welcome the fact that the immediate workforce issue affecting the service has now been resolved, enabling planning to start for the resumption of the service on a phased basis from 22 September 2026.

Swansea Bay University Health Board is working closely with the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee and the HFEA to ensure the safe continuation and resumption of services and has implemented a range of contingency measures while interim oversight arrangements were established. The pause has not affected storage of embryos and gametes. Throughout the pause, patients who had already commenced treatment continued to receive care, where clinically appropriate.

In addition, work to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the service, both within the Health Board and in conjunction with the Joint Commissioning Committee, will continue beyond the short term.

The Health Board has started contacting affected patients to confirm the next steps in their treatment pathway and has made counselling and wellbeing support available where required.