In line with the recent changes to the COVID-19 restrictions we are pleased to announce that BCF will resume its clinical activity commencing on the 18th of May, 2020. The pandemic is not over yet and your safety is our priority, therefore certain precautions (see below for list of precautionary measures) and restrictions (see below for restrictions to some fertility treatments) will apply until further notice.
Patients who had their treatments cancelled due to the COVID-19 lockdown will have their treatment protocols reviewed by clinical team with focus on safety and any recommended alterations to the treatment plan; these patients will be contacted by our nurses for scheduling the commencement of their treatment. All patients who had phone consultations during the lockdown and were advised medical tests before their upcoming treatment may contact the clinic to arrange same.
The precautionary measures to be undertaken to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
The department of health recommendations and ESHRE guidelines were taken into account:
- Social distancing.
- Limited numbers of patients’ visit per day
- Visits by appointments only
- Strict punctuality
- Access to hand sanitisers in patients’ areas
- Use of Personal Protection Equipment
- The members of the clinical team will use PPE when deemed necessary
- use of face mask by patients (if they are requested to do so)
- Use of specific hygienic and decontamination protocols
- Clinic will perform its daily routine:
- in separate teams on alternate days,
- extending working hours and workdays between Mon.-Sat. to accommodate as many patients as possible without compromising their safety.
- Patients triaging at each visit prior to arriving at BCF – Assessment station is located on the Ground floor, Level 0.
Restrictions to some fertility treatments
- Immune modulating therapies.
Immune response to COVID-19 determines patient’s fate in infection. Some therapeutic agents (intralipid infusions, anti-TNF alpha therapy, steroids) used in some assisted reproduction treatments can have an effect on your immune response during treatment. The effect of such immune treatments on the risk of COVID-19 infection remains unknown and the possibility that it may worsen the risk of the infection cannot be ruled out at present. Therefore, such treatments will be postponed until further notice.
- Pre-existing medical conditions.
During the course of the pandemic it became obvious that certain medical conditions may worsen patient’s prognosis for recovery. These include but are not limited to:
- Diabetes,
- Obesity,
- Arterial hypertension (treated or not)
- Respiratory,
- Organ transplants,
- Chemotherapy and/or cancer
Regrettably Fertility treatments of patients with the above-mentioned medical conditions will be postponed until further notice.