Introduction

The IVF unit – The Wolfson Family Clinic at Hammersmith hospital – is unique in several ways. It is a large spacious and comfortable unit. It has one of the highest staff/patient ratios in Britain with over 90 professionals contributing to the treatments we offer. Unusually, we have a high level of medical input available to ensure the highest standards of care. There is heavy accent on the holistic care of patients with free access to counselling and widespread recognition of the emotional needs of patients. Finally, it is part of one of the lead research institutes in the country. Our academic staff were recently awarded a five star rating (the highest possible) in the university research assessment exercise – a distinction which very few departments of reproductive medicine can match. And the accent is on translational research – that is basic research which has immediate relevance to clinical treatment. This accent is justified not least because the Hammersmith Hospital is the lead NHS organisation in the UK committed to NHS research and development.

Vision Statement
Our vision is to provide, in an open, honest and friendly environment, the highest standard of individualised care to help and support all patients try and realise their hope of having a child.

Mission Statement
The multi-disciplinary team of IVF Hammersmith will provide efficient and effective treatment options in a caring and professional environment. Our highly experienced staff will deliver care in comfortable surroundings with fully resourced facilities. We continually aim to improve our performance by implementing quality management principles.

Quality Policy
In our pursuit of excellence, our promise is to:
Patients

To give you personalised, evidence based approach to treatment leading to the highest standards of care.

To respect at all times your need for confidentiality, privacy and individuality.

To listen to your comments and respond so as to continually improve our service.

Staff

To provide the best possible working environment to enable you to deliver optimal care to our patients.

To support you in continual professional development.

To listen and respond to your needs.

Referring hospital colleagues and General Practitioners and PCT’s

To work in partnership with you to offer our patients an excellent service.

To provide continuous feedback on their progress.

To regularly meet to listen to your needs and comments, in order to improve the service we give to you.
Suppliers

To keep to the terms of our agreement with you in return for your efficient delivery of cost effective and quality services.

Regulators

To comply with all statutory requirements and to be seen by you as a centre of excellence.

Society

To practice in a responsible, professional and ethical manner to contribute to the confidence of society in the conduct of Reproductive Healthcare.

ISO9001 Quality Management System
IVF Hammersmith achieved ISO9001 accreditation in July 2006, one of only a few Units in the UK and the first clinical service in the Hammersmith Hospital Trust to achieve this high standard of practice. We have put in to place systems and processes to ensure that your standard of care is consistently the best we can achieve. This quality management system includes both internal and external audits to evaluate and constantly improve our services. In addition we have identified key performance indicators which allow our doctors and embryologists to monitor our output and act quickly if results fall below set standards. New methods of treatment are constantly researched and evaluated and if appropriate incorporated into our working practice. Most importantly we actively encourage your feedback regarding our services which allows us to identify key issues important to you and to subsequently act on these. All these processes are essential in trying to help you make the best decision about your care in the fast changing and often confusing world of reproductive medicine.