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Fertility boost for couples
A WORLD-leading fertility technique which can increase the survival of frozen embryos by up to 90 per cent is to be showcased at the University Hospital of Hartlepool.
The latest piece of revolutionary equipment – which looks nothing more than a traditional toaster – could bring joy to scores of childless couples.
The new technique which freezes embryos was unveiled in Rome just weeks ago and already health bosses in Hartlepool have worked to bring it to the town in what could be an international breakthrough.
It is hoped that the equipment could become a permanent feature at the town hospital and enhance the work already being done in the assisted reproduction unit by a team of dedicated staff.
The University Hospital of Hartlepool was one of the first in the country to introduce an embryo vitrification process a year ago and has helped dozens of people to become parents.
Early freezing systems had a survival rate of 40 per cent and Hartlepool's vitrification system increased that to 70 per cent.
The new Vitrolife Rapid-i system, in which embryos are frozen more quickly and in one swift operation, pushes that up to 90 per cent.
The new system was launched at the end of June at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), in Rome, and its appearance in Hartlepool is one of the first times it has gone on display in the country, having only previously been seen in Manchester and Edinburgh.
The equipment will be demonstrated to medics at the hospital on Tuesday.
Principle embryologist Dave Gibbon, of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We have been vitrifying embryos at the University Hospital of Hartlepool for one year now. We're keen to develop the service we provide here and welcome advances in technology like this.
"It is a highly technical process and requires the state of the art equipment that is here in Hartlepool. There are only a very small number of units in the country doing vitrification.
"We are proud to be at the forefront of science and to be able to offer this to people in Hartlepool and the surrounding area."
Mr Gibbon paid tribute to medical teams for their dedication.
He added: "There's an amazing team at Hartlepool who, along with other medical staff, are allowing this system and techniques to give people who can't have children a fantastic opportunity to be able to do so."
The assisted reproduction unit at the University Hospital of Hartlepool
opened in December 2008.
Health bosses say its state-of-the-art facilities rival those of any London clinic while the latest equipment will take it to an even higher level.
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Weather for Hartlepool
Thursday 09 February 2012
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