British couples are facing significant financial losses after the Ovom Care IVF clinic in Portugal filed for insolvency, disrupting ongoing treatments and leaving many patients stranded. This incident has been labelled as the “biggest disaster” in the global IVF sector.
Despite continuing to accept payments and administering treatments shortly before its closure, Ovom Care has informed many patients that they are ineligible for refunds, as they didn’t pay by credit card to avoid currency conversion fees. Reports indicate that those affected can register their claims for prepaid treatments with the insolvency administrator.
One couple reports losing over £30,000, while another patient expressed her devastation upon learning she had paid for three IVF rounds despite being told she likely suffers from endometriosis. At least 38 British patients were receiving treatment at Ovom when the insolvency occurred, although estimates suggest around 200 clients in total, with about 60% being UK nationals.
The clinic’s chief executive regrets the distress caused and stated that payments for unreceived treatments will need to be claimed via the insolvency process, though she questioned the validity of some claims circulating in the media.
Michelle Haworth, 42, and her husband had been trying for a baby for years, choosing Ovom for its high-quality doctors. They feel that their chance of having a child has now been lost. Before starting treatment, Haworth received a preliminary diagnosis of endometriosis but was reassured by Ovom specialists that further investigation was unnecessary. She endured three failed IVF transfers, the last of which occurred just a day after the clinic filed for insolvency.
Haworth, along with her husband, believes they have lost £20,000 and are collaborating with other patients to launch a fundraiser to cover costs for future treatments. Dr Cristina Hickman, a co-founder of Ovom, left the clinic due to disagreements over its direction, suggesting that a misalignment existed between patient care and business practices.
Pippa Hogg and her wife, Jay Brown, both 39, also feel betrayed after making significant payments just days before the clinic’s bankruptcy. They had chosen Ovom for its EU regulations and high-quality service, but were shocked when they learned of the clinic’s situation.
They now estimate their IVF journey has cost approximately £32,000. Their MP, Miatta Fahnbulleh, has expressed sadness over the situation and is encouraging affected parties to reach out to her office for support.
Ovom’s German parent company is undergoing its own insolvency proceedings. Measures are being carried out to transfer stored eggs, sperm, and embryos to the Ava Clinic in Lisbon, which will continue care for Ovom’s former patients. Ava Clinic has assured patients that their materials are safe and their records have been securely transferred.
Dr Hickman lamented how difficult it is for healthcare providers to navigate the venture capital space, stressing the need for better protection for patients facing similar situations in the future.
