A FERTILITY centre has officially reopened its doors following closures and restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Complete Fertility Centre, which has a centre based at Southampton’s Princess Ann Hospital, has reopened after temporarily closing for two months during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis.

Following the Government announcement that fertility clinics were able to apply to reopen, Complete Fertility Centre gained approval to recommence all fertility treatments, from the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment, the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority, HFEA.

The COVID-19 Treatment Commencement Strategy at Complete Fertility Centre has been developed to keep their patients safe.

It includes: zoom or telephone consultations with doctors, nurses and counsellors, the wearing of personal protective equipment for all staff and patients, physical social distancing throughout the clinic, entering the clinic at the designated time with waiting rooms closed, minimal footfall with patients only bringing their partner to essential appointments, and COVID-19 testing for patients prior to procedures and for staff on a weekly basis.

Additional time has also been allocated between patient appointments to minimise contact between patients and the clinic has extended its opening hours on Saturdays and evenings to help bring patients through for treatment as quickly as possible.

Clinic director, Julia Paget said: “Our priority throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been to develop measures to allow fertility treatment to resume quickly and safely.

“We have stayed in touch with our patients with regular updates and useful information during its peak, and have kept fertility journeys moving for our patients wherever possible through remote medical and counselling appointments and free fertility information webinars.”

“One silver lining with the adoption of digital technology is that our patients benefit from convenient and safe zoom appointments and online information evenings that eliminate travel time to and from the clinic yet maintain the personal touch.”