Monash IVF hit with conditions after Melbourne embryo mix-up

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Victoria’s health watchdog has placed conditions on Monash IVF’s registration after a Melbourne patient’s own embryo was mistakenly transferred to her, during a procedure in which she was supposed to receive her partner’s embryo.

The conditions, imposed by Victoria’s Health Regulator, are focused on making sure all genetic material is clearly tracked and accounted for, requiring better patient consent and record-keeping.

Victoria’s health regulator has placed conditions on Monash IVF following a second embryo mix-up.

The conditions will also require Monash IVF to conduct rigorous verification and patient checks, accurate recording in management systems and strengthened staff capabilities.

The regulator said it met with Monash IVF several times, conducted site visits and ordered the IVF company to hand over documents, which it complied with.

The Melbourne embryo mix-up occurred in June, just two months after Monash IVF was forced to admit that an error at its Brisbane clinic resulted in a Queensland woman giving birth to a stranger’s baby.

Monash IVF has apologised to the affected couple and conducted an internal investigation into the incident.

In a statement to the ASX on Friday, Monash IVF went into further detail about the regulator’s conditions, saying they included specific actions for confirming the intended biological sources for each IVF cycle and staff training.

Monash IVF said it would also need to undergo periodic auditing and reporting to the Victorian Department of Health.

The fertility giant said it had already implemented the regulator’s conditions.

It said “enhanced safety protocols” had been introduced following the company’s internal investigation into the bungle and the independent review conducted by high-profile barrister Fiona McLeod, SC.

Monash IVF said it did not expect the conditions to have a material impact on existing operations or the company’s earnings forecast.

“The company will continue to prioritise the care and safety of its patients and will keep ASX informed of any material developments in accordance with its disclosure obligations.”