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Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic

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Cambridge, United Kingdom

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About Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic

Bourn Hall is a pioneering IVF clinic located in Cambridge, United Kingdom, with additional sites in Colchester, Norwich, Stamford and Wickford serving the East of England, specializing in comprehensive fertility care for heterosexual couples, same‑sex couples, single individuals and transgender patients; it offers a full suite of treatments including IVF, ICSI, IUI, frozen embryo transfer, ovulation induction, PGT‑A genetic testing, donor sperm/egg/embryo programmes, surrogacy, cryopreservation of eggs, sperm and embryos, as well as complementary nutrition and acupuncture therapies and a range of IVF add‑ons such as time‑lapse imaging and embryo screening. Established in 1980 as the world’s first IVF centre, Bourn Hall boasts no waiting lists and a dedicated support coordinator, and reports a 73 % chance of pregnancy within one year for patients under 35, 63 % for ages 35‑37 (50 % for 38‑39) and about 25 % for those over 40 (2021 data). The multidisciplinary team combines fertility physicians, embryologists, counsellors, nutritionists and specialist nurses who provide personalised care plans, emotional counselling and lifestyle guidance, while flexible fixed‑price packages, finance solutions, patient‑led support groups, webinars and regular open‑evening events ensure accessible, patient‑centred support throughout the journey.

Why choose Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic?

  • check_circle Compassionate Nursing Team

    Nurses such as Dawn, Tracy and Jo consistently provide gentle scanning, calm reassurance, and personalized attention. Patients describe feeling cared for like family, with staff remembering individual journeys and offering emotional support throughout cycles.

  • check_circle High Success Stories

    Multiple accounts cite successful pregnancies, twins, and long‑term healthy children after treatment at Bourn Hall. Several patients achieved pregnancy on the first fresh transfer, reinforcing the clinic's strong clinical outcomes.

  • check_circle Responsive Communication

    The patient portal and same‑day email replies keep couples updated on embryo development and appointment details. Embryologists proactively call with fertilisation results, and staff are noted for quick, clear answers to queries.

  • check_circle Warm, Homely Environment

    Patients appreciate the welcoming atmosphere, garden walks, and thoughtful touches such as good‑luck cards and personalized scans. The setting is described as both professional and comforting.

  • check_circle Skilled Medical Leadership

    Doctors including Dr. Mauro, Dr. Barbor and Dr. Nair are highlighted for thorough explanations, attentive listening, and tailored treatment plans, contributing to patient confidence and satisfaction.

What to watch out for at Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic?

  • warning Perceived Cost‑Driven Approach

    Several patients feel the clinic pushes IVF as the first solution without offering alternative treatments or vitamins, leading to the impression that financial considerations outweigh individualized care.

  • warning Inconsistent Communication & Coordination

    Issues are reported with delayed updates, poor coordination for NHS‑referred patients, and limited phone access. The portal is sometimes inaccessible on mobile devices, causing frustration during treatment cycles.

  • warning Variable Staff Attitude

    While many staff are praised, some experiences describe nurses as cold, abrupt, or rushed, creating a factory‑like feel and diminishing the supportive environment for certain patients.

  • warning Pain Management Concerns

    Patients have reported inadequate sedation during egg retrieval, uncomfortable recovery rooms, and conflicting advice on anaesthesia, leading to heightened pain and anxiety during procedures.

  • warning Administrative Errors

    Mistakes such as incorrect payment billing, copied‑over prescriptions, and delayed follow‑up letters have been noted, requiring additional effort from patients to resolve.


Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic - Patient Reviews

3.9

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Diamonds AreAw*****

2 months ago

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Lovely staff and very helpful. Used their donor embryo programme. Donor team very helpful. However - they do not provide the grade of the embryos they have - they just say "they are all good" - this makes it feel like a shot in the dark given the cost of the transfer. We may do a second cycle with them but we are reviewing our options and considering other options because it seems like a bit of a gamble - especially if we don't know the grade until transfer day.
C

Charlotte *****

2 months ago

star star star star star
IVF is one of the toughest experiences to have to go through, but luckily for us the Nurses are so kind, knowledgeable and helpful I can't rate them enough! Our very first appt was with Midwife Jasmine, who laughed with us made us feel at ease and was lovely! We recently met Lizzie who was our sonogropher and she is possibly one of the loveliest humans I have met! She was so friendly from the moment we arrived for our scan telling us in as much detail as possible what to expect etc she was just lovely! A normal human being! The only slight pitfall would be some of the Dr's seem to have a typical Dr bedside manner, very matter of fact, not overly empathetic or informative, we found the Dr's appts to be tickboxe excercises bar one, which was with Sharleen, honestly this lady is so kind and so caring she put me at ease straight away, answered all of my questions clearly and confidently and I would highly recommend asking for her for your treatments - she is one of the best (and we've met a few). That said we are grateful to the team and their support.
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Wend*****

2 months ago

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Unfortunately we had many negative experiences at Bourn Hall Cambridge. Very expensive and we felt they treated us like an experiment (the consultant used this word numerous times). We have moved to a new clinic and the treatment has been so much better already. We did have a baby with Bourn, but we would not go back to them again.
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Geo*****

3 months ago

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We had a round of IVF at Bourn hall Cambridge and the staff are amazing. Everyone we came into contact with was professional, caring and looked after us both really well. We were lucky that our transfer worked and our little girl is now nearly 5 months old. We shall be back in the future for a FET of our final embryo and hopefully to expand our family. Thank you Bourn hall!
A

Anthony *****

4 months ago

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Recieved excellent service, regular scans, at Bourn Hall in 2021 for Ovulation Induction, wife had an injector.

This is a very late review. My wife and I used Bourn Hall for Ovulation Induction in 2021 and we recieved excellent service. Through the process we were seen regularly, my wife recieved regular scans and even when my wife's injector was …

Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic - FAQ

smart_toy AI-generated based on information from the clinic's website

What fertility treatments and services does Bourn Hall Clinic offer? expand_more
Bourn Hall Clinic provides a full spectrum of assisted reproduction options, including conventional IVF, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and intrauterine insemination (IUI). The clinic also offers advanced services such as pre‑implantation genetic testing (PGT‑A), frozen embryo transfer (FET), and comprehensive donor programmes for eggs, sperm, and embryos. Specialized pathways include egg freezing, sperm freezing, embryo freezing, shared motherhood (ROPA) for female couples, surrogacy for male couples, and an endometriosis fertility service. Additional support services encompass fertility testing packages, nutritional counselling, psychological support, and a dedicated andrology unit for male factor infertility.
What IVF laboratory technology does Bourn Hall Clinic use? expand_more
The IVF laboratory at Bourn Hall Clinic is equipped with state‑of‑the‑art embryology tools, including high‑resolution advanced microscopy for detailed embryo grading and assessment. Cryopreservation is performed at ultra‑low temperatures of minus 197 °C, ensuring optimal survival of frozen eggs, sperm, and embryos. The lab also utilizes time‑controlled culture systems to monitor embryo development to the blastocyst stage, supporting the use of PGT‑A testing. All laboratory practices adhere to HFEA licensing and quality‑assurance protocols, guaranteeing consistent, high‑quality outcomes for patients.
Does Bourn Hall Clinic offer egg donation for IVF treatment? expand_more
Yes, Bourn Hall Clinic runs a comprehensive egg donation programme that includes altruistic donors, egg‑sharing arrangements, and known‑donor options. The clinic maintains a robust donor bank to match recipients quickly and offers both fresh and frozen donor‑egg cycles. Prospective patients receive guidance from a dedicated donor coordinator, who explains screening, matching, and legal processes. Success rates for donor‑egg IVF are among the highest in the UK, reflecting the clinic’s expertise in synchronising donor cycles and optimizing embryo transfer outcomes.
Does Bourn Hall Clinic provide fertility treatment for same-sex couples? expand_more
Bourn Hall Clinic explicitly supports same‑sex couples with inclusive fertility pathways. Female couples can access donor‑sperm IUI, IVF, and the Shared Motherhood (ROPA) protocol, where one partner provides eggs and the other carries the pregnancy. Male couples receive guidance on surrogacy, donor‑egg IVF, and sperm donation, with specialist support throughout the legal and medical processes. The clinic’s team of reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists, and counsellors ensures that LGBTQ+ families receive the same high‑quality care and success rates as all patients.
Who are the fertility doctors and specialists at Bourn Hall Clinic? expand_more
The clinical leadership at Bourn Hall Clinic includes Dr Thanos Papathanasiou, MD FRCOG FHEA, who serves as CEO and Medical Director and oversees all fertility treatments. The team also features Dr Chhaya Prasannan‑Nair, a senior gynaecologist with extensive experience in donor and surrogacy programmes. Embryology is headed by Clara Baker, Senior Embryologist, who manages the on‑site laboratory. In addition, the clinic employs a multidisciplinary group of fertility specialists, reproductive endocrinologists, andrologists, as well as dedicated counsellors, nutritionists, and patient support coordinators, ensuring comprehensive care from diagnosis through embryo transfer.
What is the history and background of Bourn Hall Clinic? expand_more
Bourn Hall Clinic was founded in 1980 as the world’s first IVF clinic, building on the pioneering work that produced the first IVF baby in 1978. The clinic’s heritage includes over four decades of innovation, with more than 25,000 babies born through its programmes. Milestones include the introduction of egg sharing, the launch of the first gestational surrogacy baby in 1989, and the development of a dedicated endometriosis fertility service. Bourn Hall holds accreditation from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and continues to lead research collaborations across the UK.
What are the IVF success rates at Bourn Hall Clinic? expand_more
Bourn Hall Clinic reports a 73% chance of achieving pregnancy within one year for women under 35, based on 2021 data. For IVF cycles, the live‑birth rate after a single egg collection is 60% for patients under 35, 44% for ages 35‑37, and 31% for ages 38‑39. Continuing treatment improves outcomes: women aged 35‑37 have a 63% chance of pregnancy within a year, those 38‑39 have a 50% chance, and patients over 40 see about a 25% chance. These figures are audited and published in line with HFEA reporting standards, reflecting the clinic’s long‑standing focus on high‑quality assisted reproduction and personalized care.
Does Bourn Hall Clinic treat single women seeking fertility treatment? expand_more
Bourn Hall Clinic welcomes single women and provides a full range of options tailored to their needs. Services include donor‑sperm IUI, IVF with donor or own eggs, egg freezing for future use, and comprehensive fertility testing to assess ovarian reserve. The clinic’s multidisciplinary team offers personalised counselling, nutritional support, and a dedicated patient‑support coordinator to ensure a seamless journey from diagnosis through embryo transfer, empowering single women to achieve their family‑building goals.

Contact

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Phone +44 1954 717210
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Address High St, Bourn, Cambridge CB23 2TN, UK (Find on Google Maps) open_in_new
schedule
Opening Hours
  • Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

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Articles About Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic

Read the latest news and insights about this clinic

Uncategorized January 24, 2026

First Time IVF Success with Unexplained Infertility: A Suffolk Couple’s Story

A Suffolk couple achieved first-time IVF success after 5 years of trying and a diagnosis of unexplained infertility. Stephanie and Gordon, 32, underwent NHS-funded IVF at Bourn Hall Clinic, resulting in the birth of their son Drew. The treatment followed extensive testing including HyCoSy scans and hormone assessments, with 2 viable embryos transferred during their […]

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Uncategorized January 23, 2026

Donated Sperm Success Story: Overcoming 10-Year Fertility Journey

Ria and Lee from Suffolk achieved parenthood after a decade-long struggle with male infertility, using donated sperm and NHS-funded IVF to welcome their son Jacob in 2014. Key Takeaways Using Donated Sperm for Male Infertility Treatment When Lee had a low sperm count, Ria and Lee opted for donated sperm after surgical sperm retrieval failed. […]

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Uncategorized January 20, 2026

IVF Funding Cuts in Cambridgeshire: Mental Health & Financial Impact Revealed

Withdrawing NHS IVF funding in Cambridgeshire led to severe mental health impacts, relationship strain, and financial stress among 79 surveyed individuals, with over 50% left without infertility resolution. Key Takeaways IVF Funding Eligibility vs. Actual Patient Needs in Cambridgeshire Only 150 patients received IVF funding (vs. 200 recommended), leaving 50% of infertile individuals without resolution. […]

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