By Grant McArthur
The Allan government wound up the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority last year over concerns it had been applying only a light touch in regulating the state’s fertility sector. The government handed regulation of IVF clinics to the newly formed VHR from January 1 this year.
Since then, the fertility industry has come under intense scrutiny over embryo bungles at Monash IVF’s Brisbane and Clayton clinics, prompting Australia’s health ministers to commission a national review into regulation of the sector.
Despite Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas’ vocal support for tougher regulation, the latest disclosure reveals the Health Department-controlled VHR is yet to take any action against clinics.
The state government declined to answer questions from The Age as to what, if any, proactive measures the VHR was undertaking to determine whether adverse events were occurring in Victoria’s assisted reproductive technology sector.