Marking a decade of success since the Satellite IVF Centre opened its doors
On 21 May 2013, the Satellite IVF Centre at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital (L&D) commenced operations to benefit local residents undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF), working in partnership with the reputed Bourn Hall Clinic where the first ever IVF baby in the world was conceived.
Before the Centre opened its doors, Luton residents keen to begin the fertility journey would attend tertiary level IVF units for their entire IVF treatment.
The opening of this Satellite IVF Centre, the only NHS Satellite IVF Centre in the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) region, meant that patients could have the majority of the treatment locally at Luton. They would then only be required to make two visits to Bourn Hall Clinic, eliminating the need for multiple long journeys.
Following the merger of the L&D and Bedford Hospital to create Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in April 2020, planning works began to integrate the dedicated fertility centre at Luton with the fertility unit at Bedford Hospital.
Miss Liliana Grosu, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist from Bedford Hospital recently joined the two Consultants Mr Jude Jose and Ms Shanaz Akbar in running the fertility services at the L&D.
This integration will enable the streamlining of the two services which will be brought under one roof, ultimately improving the patient experience of the community we serve in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.
Recently, representatives from Bourn Hall were welcomed to the Luton site for a celebration to mark this impressive milestone.
Mr Jude Jose, Lead for Fertility Services said: “We have offered IVF treatment for around 750 couples during this decade and created 411 babies through our treatment. We are immensely proud to deliver such a dedicated and high quality service to our local couples so close to home.”
