Dr Petra Wale, President of the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) has announced a major initiative to commission a comprehensive review of governance and standards within the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and IVF sector across Australia and New Zealand. This review will culminate in the development of a detailed 10-year roadmap aimed at establishing uniform national legislation for ART and IVF providers in Australia, while continuing to align with New Zealand’s principles of the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004.
The review and strategic plan are focused on enhancing accessibility to safe and effective fertility treatments for families across Australia and New Zealand. While these nations already boast one of the world’s safest and most successful IVF sectors, factors such as the increasing median age for women giving birth and advancements in technologies like genetic carrier screening through the Australian publicly funded Mackenzie’s Mission program are expected to significantly increase the number of children born by ART and IVF over the next decade.
Leading this pivotal initiative will be Professor the Honourable Greg Hunt, former Health Minister of Australia and Dr Rachel Swift, an embryologist and public health expert.
FSANZ invites stakeholders, including governments, providers, families, and the public, to contribute their insights and inputs. Submissions will be open between 4th June to 1st August 2024 and can be made by emailing: submissions@rtacreview.com.au. Or completing this submission form
Stakeholder feedback to Comprehensive Review of Governance and Standards in ART and IVF sector
FSANZ will collaborate with Government entities, the Commonwealth, States and Territories, providers, clinicians, researchers, and families to integrate these valuable inputs. The finalized plan will be released at FSANZ’s National Conference in Perth in September.
Following this milestone FSANZ will present the proposed National Fertility Plan to all State, Territory, and Commonwealth governments, as well as to the New Zealand government. The goal is to secure an agreed National Fertility Plan through the National Health Minister’s meeting and establish uniform national legislation to replace the over 30 current different pieces of legislation currently governing ART and IVF practices across Australia. In New Zealand, this will involve aligning with the principles of the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004.
For those submitting via email (submissions@rtacreview.com.au), here are some questions to help gather your insights on the governance and standards within the ART and IVF sector:
- Current Challenges and Issues:
- What are the primary challenges you face in the current ART and IVF regulatory environment
- Are there specific areas within the current governance and standards that you believe require immediate attention or reform?
- Uniform Legislation:
- How do you perceive the impact of establishing uniform national legislation for ART and IVF providers across Australia?
- What benefits or drawbacks do you foresee with the transition from multiple legislations to a single, national framework?
- Accessibility and Equity:
- What measures do you believe are necessary to enhance accessibility to safe and effective fertility treatments across Australia?
- How can we ensure equitable access to ART and IVF services for all families, regardless of geographical location or socio-economic status?
- Technological Advancements:
- How should advancements in technologies, such as genetic carrier screening, be integrated into the national standards and regulations?
- What safeguards should be put in place to manage the ethical and social implications of these technological advancements?
- Stakeholder Involvement:
- How can governments, providers, families, and the public effectively collaborate to develop and implement the national fertility plan?
- What role should each stakeholder group play in the ongoing governance of ART and IVF practices?
- Quality and Safety:
- What specific measures should be included in the roadmap to ensure the highest standards of quality and safety in ART and IVF treatments?
- How can we continuously monitor and improve the quality and safety of these services?
- Future Trends and Preparedness:
- Considering the expected increase in ART and IVF births, how should the sector prepare for future trends and demands?
- What strategies should be adopted to address the increasing median age of women giving birth and its implications for ART and IVF services?
- Feedback and Improvements:
- Based on your experiences, what are the most critical areas for improvement in the ART and IVF sector?
- How can FSANZ and other regulatory bodies support ongoing improvements and innovations in ART and IVF?
- Educational and Public Awareness:
- What initiatives should be undertaken to educate the public and potential patients about ART and IVF options, processes, and regulations?
- How can we improve public awareness and understanding of the ethical, medical, and legal aspects of ART and IVF?
- Implementation and Monitoring:
- What are your suggestions for the effective implementation and monitoring of the proposed national fertility plan?
- How can we ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation process?
Please provide any additional insights you believe are pertinent to the development of a comprehensive national fertility plan. Your contributions are invaluable to this critical initiative.