Cork clinic hoping to resume some fertility treatments in May

The Sims Clinic, which operates a facility at City Gate in Mahon, says it is hoping to resume some of its fertility treatments next month, but it awaits government guidance on the situation. 

The clinic, like others across Europe, had deferred fertility treatments following recent recommendations from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) that assisted reproduction treatments such as IVF should temporarily not be carried out in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ESHRE has now reviewed these recommendations and says that once the risk of COVID-19 infection is decreasing, treatments can be resumed in line with local regulations.

It has urged however that "vigilance and measured steps must be taken for safe practice and to minimise the risks related to SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19-positive patients or staff during treatment."

The Sims Clinic said it would look to resume some of its treatments in May, adding "however, we still await government guidance on the situation."

It said the resumption of services would be on a phased basis. 

“The safety of patients and staff is of paramount importance to us and we are making all preparations necessary. We have sourced PPE equipment and are ensuring our clinics are prepared for social distancing,” the Sims Clinic said.

The clinic said that this would take some time and that staff will start to contact patients regarding their treatment next week.