Queensland’s health minister has confirmed that Monash IVF is being closely monitored after a mix-up resulted in the wrong embryo being transferred to a patient at its Brisbane clinic.
The mistake was discovered in February after the birth parents requested the transfer of their remaining frozen embryos to another provider. It is understood that the baby, conceived in early 2023, has no genetic link to the woman who gave birth.
Monash IVF attributed the error to human mistake, which led to the implantation of a different patient’s embryo.
In response to the incident, Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls stated that his department is observing how Monash IVF handles the aftermath. When asked whether the department would use its new regulatory powers to inspect the clinic, he affirmed that they were prepared to provide any support necessary to resolve the situation.
“As the regulator, we will ensure that providers do everything they can to prevent such incidents in the future,” Nicholls said.
New laws passed in September give Queensland Health the authority to inspect IVF providers, a power previously unavailable under the “self-regulatory regime.”
Minister Nicholls stressed that the primary concern should be the wellbeing of the families involved and the child at the center of the mix-up, which is believed to be the first of its kind in Australia.
“The most important thing is resolving the complexities for the families, especially regarding the child’s wellbeing,” he said. “I expect Monash IVF to offer full support to the affected families.”
Adnan Catakovic, the scientific director of City Fertility, emphasized that IVF providers should welcome additional oversight. Following the Monash IVF incident, City Fertility has received inquiries from clients seeking reassurance about their own embryo records.
“We’ve had patients asking if the embryos they believe they have stored are accurately listed with us, and we can easily confirm that for them,” Catakovic said.
Monash IVF has promised to conduct an independent investigation into the error. Queensland Health announced it had met with the clinic to reinforce safeguards at its Queensland facilities and identify any potential risks.
In Victoria, similar regulations were introduced in 2008, requiring IVF providers to report mistakes like the transfer of the wrong embryo. A Queensland Health Ombudsman investigation last year highlighted “gaps and risks” in the oversight of assisted reproductive technology before the new laws were passed.
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