A new £4 million state-of-the-art Assisted Conception Service Centre was officially opened today by Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Health.
The unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment of the embryology laboratory, procedure rooms and clinical outpatient area which are now all located within the one facility. New state of the art equipment, facilities and décor has transformed the area for both patients and staff.
Shona Robison was shown round the refurbished unit by Andrew Robertson, Chairman, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), and Kevin Hill, Director of Women and Childrens Directorate. She met staff and patients (private meeting) while touring the refurbished facility.
She said: “I’m thrilled to be able to be here today to meet staff and patients from the new Assisted Conception Service Unit. This new facility provides a calm and supportive environment for patients who are undergoing treatment, reducing stress at what can be a particularly difficult time.
“With the new unit’s additional capacity and centrally located services, it will also help to significantly reduce the length of time patients have to wait for IVF treatment ensuring equitable access to services across Scotland.
“Scotland is leading the way in the provision of NHS IVF treatment with the implementation of a 12 month waiting time target that comes in to force on 31 March. This target, along with our £12 million investment in IVF provision over the last three years, will mean all patients in Scotland will have access to a more generous and fairer service than elsewhere in the UK.”
The unit now provides a modern facility for Assisted Conception Services for patients from across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Ayrshire and Arran, Dumfries and Galloway, Lanarkshire and Highland Health Boards.
Andrew Robertson, Chairman, NHSGGC, added: “I am delighted that the Cabinet Secretary could join us to officially open this wonderful unit.
“One of the main benefits of the new refurbished unit is that all functions are now located within the one area. Prior to the refurbishment, services were spread across the GRI site.
“The investment in the facility and state of the art equipment has allowed a seven day service to be provided and already the service is seeing an increase in success rates. The increase in capacity at this new facility will also enable patients to be treated within the 12 months target.”
The refurbishment costs including building, new equipment and technology has been in excess of £4 million and will enable a significant increase in patient infertility treatment. It will also ensure that patients are treated within waiting times target.
NHSGGC also works in partnership with the University of Glasgow and this facility will provide treatment opportunity for patients who attend the University of Glasgow Reproductive Medicine Unit.
Gwenda Burns, Scottish Branch Coordinator, Infertility Network Scotland, said: “Glasgow Royal Infirmary’s new Assisted Conception Service which now provides a seven day a week service will make a massive difference to those undergoing treatment there.
“This combined with waiting times now being at 12 months is fantastic news for patients.”
ENDS
For further information either telephone 0141 201 4429 or email press.office@gcc.scot.nhs.uk .
Pic: Assisted Conception Service Staff Meet Cabinet Secretary, Shona Robison, at Official Opening