Monash IVF Hit with Strict New Rules from Health Regulator After Embryo Mix-Up
Scandal-plagued fertility service Monash IVF has been hit with a raft of new conditions on its registration by the Victorian Health Regulator in response to an embryo mix-up. Monash IVF was first plunged into controversy in April when it was revealed to have falsely implanted an embryo from the wrong couple into a woman at its Brisbane clinic. The mistake went unnoticed for at least five months until after she had already given birth to the child, which bore no genetic relation to her. That mix-up was the first of its kind in Australia. Then two months later Monash IVF revealed it had mistakenly transferred the wrong embryo into another patient in Clayton, Victoria, implanting a woman with her own embryo, rather than her partner’s. Both incidents were attributed to “human error” by Monash IVF. The second failure prompted an investigation by the Victorian Health Regulator, which has now reported.
“Victoria’s Health Regulator has concluded its investigation into Monash IVF Group Ltd following an incident that occurred at its Clayton laboratory on 5 June, where a patient’s own embryo was incorrectly transferred to that patient, contrary to the treatment plan which designated the transfer of an embryo of the patient’s partner,” the departmental statement reads. “The Health Regulator has determined to impose conditions on Monash IVF’s registration. “These conditions will remain in place until the Health Regulator is satisfied the risks identified, as the result of its investigations into the incident, are effectively mitigated and Monash IVF has demonstrated sustained compliance. “The conditions focus on matters such as ensuring the integrity and traceability of genetic material through comprehensive consent and documentation processes, rigorous verification and patient checks, accurate recording in management systems, and strengthened staff capability,” it says.
Monash IVF said in a statement to the ASX it did not “expect that the conditions will have a material impact on its existing operations, nor does it expect them to have a material impact on the company’s earnings”. “The process changes required under the conditions have already been implemented by the company through the introduction of enhanced safety protocols following the company’s internal investigation. “The conditions include specific actions and obligations relating to the process for confirming the intended biological sources for each cycle; requirements relating to the company’s patient management system, witnessing and checking requirements and record keeping; and staff education and training, periodic auditing and reporting to the Victorian Department of Health. “The company will continue to prioritise the care and safety of its patients.” Monash IVF in August announced it had completed an independent review into both mix-ups but refused to release the full findings.
The health firm is being circled by potential buyers, last week refusing a $312m takeover offer from private equity firm Genesis Capital and investment house Washington H Soul Pattinson. It dismissed the “opportunistic, unsolicited” bid as an undervaluation. The company’s shares are down more than 46 per cent in the past 12 months. Monash IVF courted controversy five years earlier when flawed genetic testing led hundreds of patients to destroy potentially viable embryos. It prompted a class-action lawsuit from 1300 affected customers and patients, which last year reached a $56m settlement, under which Monash IVF made no admission of wrongdoing. Margalit Injury Lawyers managing principal Michel Margalit represented affected customers in the class action, and said the ongoing failures pointed to a regulatory blind spot. “We query why it has had to come to further tragedy for these regulations to only now be imposed. We query whether these newer cases of harm could have been avoided had the Health Regulator acted earlier,” Ms Margalit said.
Source: Compiled by APN from media reports
Faith Communities Compelled to Assist Suicide After NSW Upper House Blocks Protections
Last week, the NSW Parliament made a decision that will have real consequences for faith-based aged-care providers across NSW. The Legislative Council voted 23–16 against the Voluntary Assisted Dying Amendment (Residential Facilities) Bill 2025. The Bill would have allowed faith-based aged-care facilities to decline participation in facilitating Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) onsite – while still ensuring access for residents through a transfer process. Had it passed, NSW would have moved closer to the VAD approach taken in other jurisdictions, where conscience rights for institutional care providers receive some recognition in law. Ahead of the vote, 42 faith leaders, representing hundreds of thousands of people, signed a joint statement urging members of Parliament to support the Bill. They were not seeking to block access to VAD, but to preserve the freedom for providers to act according to their beliefs and practices.
The proposed amendment aimed to strike a reasonable balance: Residents would retain access to VAD. Facilities would not be required to facilitate it directly. Faith-based providers could continue caring in line with their convictions. Despite significant support from faith leaders, conscience protections were not adopted. Respect for faith communities must be reflected not only in public conversation but also in legislation. Members were given a conscience vote, yet the conscience of faith-based providers was not upheld. As a result, NSW aged-care facilities may be required to facilitate VAD onsite, even when doing so conflicts with their beliefs. We commend the members who spoke and voted in favour of the Bill. Their contributions acknowledged that protecting access and protecting conscience are not opposing goals. Both can and should be upheld. We will continue to advocate for legislation that allows faith-based providers to care without compromise and to serve their communities according to deeply held convictions.
Source: Australian Christian Lobby
Save the Date of National Day of Prayer 2026
Organisers have announced the date of the 2026 National Day of Prayer as Saturday 23rd May 2026. Please include the date in your personal and Church diaries. Further details will be released closer to the date.
Source: Australia Prays
Last Australian News for 2025 – Happy Christmas to all our Readers
This will be the final Australian News for 2025. We therefore take the opportunity to wish all our readers a Happy Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and partnership over the past 12 months. We give all glory to God for what He has done, and we look forward to all that lies ahead in 2026. Australian News will resume on Wednesday 21st January 2026.
Source: Australian Prayer Network