Licence wait stalls work at IVF clinic

RED TAPE: Tory health spokesman Jackson Carlaw said delays were unacceptable.

Work at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) unit was finished at the end of March. The centre had stopped carrying out IVF procedures 18 months ago after a dramatic dip in success rates.

However, women cannot be treated at the revamped facility until a government watchdog has inspected the premises and its findings are approved by the body's licencing committee.

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No date has been made public for the inspection, but members of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) will not meet to discuss the unit until early July.

Between November 2012 and the end of March this year 1300 women due to have fertility treatment at the GRI were sent to the Nuffield Hospital in Glasgow.

GRI patients will be treated at the private hospital until the new NHS unit is licenced and opened.

Jackson Carlow MSP, Scottish Conservative health spokesman, said: "This saga has been going on for too long and it is unacceptable that there is going to be a further delay before patients can access the newly refurbished clinic.

"While people will understand the need to ensure that the new clinic passes an inspection, their patience is being tested because of too much red tape.

"New clinics are there to be used, not left abandoned while officials fill in an endless variety of forms."

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Licence wait stalls work at IVF clinic