ARGC was licensed by the HFEA in 1995. The staff at ARGC are committed to providing patients with the highest quality service. ARGC have consistently achieved the highest IVF and ICSI success rates in the UK every year since 1995.

Latest results as published:

IVF & ICSI fresh embryo transfer using own eggs	Live birth rate (April 2003 – March 2004)
Below 35 years of age	55.3%
35-37 years of age	48.8%
38-39 years of age	49.2%
40-42 years of age	21.6%

We pride ourselves on assisting couples who have been unsuccessful elsewhere or those with complex fertility problems. Currently approximately 75% of our patients have had unsuccessful treatment at other licensed clinics. We do not select patients on the basis of age or clinical history.

We offer a very comprehensive range of treatments for both male and female. We were the first clinic in the UK to be granted a licence to freeze and thaw human eggs. This service is currently provided free of charge to cancer patients prior to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In 2002 we were granted the first UK licence to perform PGD for ancuploidy screening. We now work in collaboration with the Reproductive Genetics Institute in Chicago, acknowledged for its pioneering work with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, to offer this treatment option if it is required. We are one if the first clinics in the UK to investigate the recurrent implantation failure of embryos and the immunology of implantation.
We are currently working in collaboration with the Rosalind Franklin University of Chicago to offer treatment to couples for whom this may be the cause of their fertility problems.

We are often asked – How are such consistent results achieved?

We are a small team who have worked together for many years and do our utmost to provide a friendly and personal service.

Every couple’s treatment is overseen by the senior consultant throughout all stages of the treatment.

We have 8 ICSI trained embryologists with over 50 years combined experience in embryology, two of whom were part of the first team to offer this procedure in the UK in 1993

Our nursing staff has over 80 years experience in IVF.

What is IVF?

IN VITRO FERTILISATION (IVF) was designed as the treatment for women with irreparable Fallopian tubes. It is now frequently used as a treatment option for patients with other types of fertility problems such as sub-optimal sperm, ovulatory disorders, endometriosis and unexplained infertility.

We recommend that all couples undergoing assisted reproduction treatment receive independent counselling.

COUNSELLING FOR INFERTILITY: A guide for patients

Counselling is a process whereby a person is enabled to explore his or her feelings about difficult and potentially stressful situations in a safe and accepting environment. Counselling is non-judgemental and counsellors always attempt to remain so. Their main concern is to clarify the immediate problem and spell out the implications of any decision that may need to be made. In the context of infertility, the counsellor can provide emotional support for the individual or couple through stressful and possibly unsuccessful treatments.

When treatment is unsuccessful or no longer appropriate, the counsellor can help in allowing people to express their feelings and come to terms with their disappointment. In this way potential damage to existing relationships can be minimized or prevented. This can be a long process and unfortunately cannot be hurried.

Counsellors are not employed by the Assisted Reproduction & Gynaecology Centre (ARGC), but work independently from it. They are professional people who have a high level of expertise and training in counselling. Most have a dual qualification either in medicine or psychology or nursing and have particular experience with infertility counselling.

Who may benefit?

Whilst infertility is a stressful condition, people vary in their emotional response to it and their ability to cope. Not all require counselling, and few are in need of major psychological help. However, the potential for emotional damage either to the individual or a relationship is always present. Counselling will give couples the opportunity to prepare themselves emotionally and hopefully minimize the stresses they may encounter.

Awareness of these risks enables a counsellor to work preventively when exploring the full implications of treatment and offering support. There may be insufficient time at the Centre to fully explore, for example, the consequences of parenthood by ovum donation or donor insemination. Being able to talk in a relaxed, non-clinical environment can be valuable.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act recommends that counselling should be available to all undergoing infertility treatment. It should be purely voluntary and in no way implies that a person is unable to cope with their problems. You are merely given the opportunity of receiving counselling as a means of helping you cope with a potentially stressful treatment.

What to expect

Should you decide on counselling, you would be seen by an independent counsellor, either at their rooms or at the ARGC. A session is usually one hour and a fee will be charged. The number of sessions required will depend on the need and will be decided by mutual agreement. Your doctor at the Centre will tell you how to contact the counsellor and will send a referral letter. Appointments are made directly with the counsellor.

Counselling is always strictly confidential and no information will be disclosed without your consent. If you have any queries about the nature and purpose of counselling, please raise them with your doctor or with the counsellor, should you accept the offer.