We have met with Craig Paton of Ferticentro and asked him 12 questions about the clinic.

1. Where is located the clinic, is it easy access from the airport? 

Ferticentro is located in the historic Portuguese city of Coimbra. It has been located in Coimbra for more than 20 years', contributing to the city's reputation for academic and medical excellence. Coimbra is an attractive city in Central Portugal on the banks of the Mondego River. Travelling to Ferticentro is easy, with direct flights from the UK to Porto, which is approximately one hour by train or car from Ferticentro. We also offer airport transfers for those travelling from overseas. 

2. Can you tell us about the patient's journey.

Ferticentro are experts in international treatment, with more than 20 years' experience welcoming patient from around the world. A treatment journey typically involves:

1- A virtual consultation with an English-speaking doctor who will discuss required investigations, many of which can be conducted in your home country via one of our partner clinics.

2- Agreeing a treatment plan based on your unique results and circumstances.

3- Stimulation using prescribed medication.

4- Travel to Ferticentro for egg collection and embryo creation.

5- Embryo transfer before you travel home and await the pregnancy test.

The patient journey at Ferticentro has been designed specifically with international patients in mind, ensuring patients have the support and information they need at every stage, while minimising time spent in Portugal.

3. What fertility treatments do you offer? 

Ferticentro offers a wide range of fertility treatments to ensure every patient has the best possible chance of success. We offer simple treatments such as IUI and IUI using donated sperm, through to more advanced treatments such as IVF, IVF with donated eggs or sperm, and genetic testing. Ferticentro has one of Europe's largest open-ID donor banks, ensuring patients have access to the donated eggs or sperm they need as quickly as possible. 

4. How do you assess fertility issues, and what tests will the patient need?

At Ferticentro, every patient is assessed on an individual basis. Our consultants work closely with each patient to understand their medical and fertility history, including any previous test results or treatments. Using this information as well as any additional tests the consultant may recommend, our team will be able to identify they best course of treatment. In general, tests such as an ovarian reserve test and semen analysis are helpful when assessing fertility issues. 

5. What is the cost of your fertility treatments, and what is included in a package?

Without exception, fertility treatment at Ferticentro is less expensive than at comparative clinics in the UK and other parts of the world. We also pride ourselves on fully transparent, inclusive pricing packages, meaning you will always have the very best treatment, without unexpected costs. For up to date and detailed pricing information, we recommend visiting the Ferticentro website. 

6. What is your policy on egg/sperm donation and how do you ensure donor anonymity and quality? 

Portugal operates an "Open-ID" or "non-anonymous" donation policy. This means that all donors have agreed to add their information to a register, which a child born as a result of their donation can access once they become an adult. Open-ID donation is seen by many as preferable to anonymous donation for a number of reasons, including for safety and ethical reason. This approach also ensures we can provide patients with extended profiles of our donors, making the process of choosing the right donor much easier. 

All of our donors meet strict medical and psychological criteria and are carefully registered to ensure a maximum number of donations. 

7. What support services do you provide during the treatment process? 

We pride ourselves on offering personal, 1-to-1 support throughout the treatment journey, from the moment a patient gets in touch, right through to having a baby at home. Our dedicated Patient Care Assistants are responsible for supporting and assisting patients through each step of the journey. We also have counsellors and psychologists as part of the team to provide additional support to those who need it. 

8. How do you monitor progress during the treatment cycle, and how often will a patient need to visit the clinic? 

During treatment we monitor progress regularly, but in a way which does not require spending extended periods of time in Portugal. We work closely with partner clinics around the world who can help with investigations and monitoring close to home. In many cases, patients only need to visit Ferticentro two or three times, for egg collection and embryo transfer. 

9. What is your policy on embryo storage and freezing, and how long can embryos be stored? 

Portugal has a very progressive approach to egg and embryo freezing and storage. Eggs and embryos can be stored and then used up to the age of 50. Patients need to renew their storage consents every 5 years, a process which takes seconds. 

10. What are your clinic’s policies regarding patient privacy and confidentiality?

Ferticentro treats patient privacy and confidentiality with the utmost level of care, as is required by Portugal’s advanced healthcare laws. Everything from the way-out systems are designed through to the way in which our clinic is built has been done with privacy in mind, ensuring patients feel secure and comfortable at every stage. 

11. Why would English patients come to Portugal? 

There are many reasons patients decide to travel from England to Portugal for fertility treatment. The most common reasons include:

• Open ID Donor Availability. In the UK there is a huge shortage of donors, particularly those with certain physical characteristics such as darker eyes, hair or skin colour. In Portugal and particularly at Ferticentro, there is a hugely diverse range of donated eggs and sperm available immediately, meaning patients can have the treatment they want without any waiting list. 
• Value for money. While Portugal is not the cheapest destination for fertility treatment in Europe, it does offer incredible value for money, meaning the quality of treatment is as high as you would expect in the UK, at a fraction of the cost. While some destinations have a reputation for poor treatment quality at incredibly low prices, Portugal has a reputation for providing the best of both. 

Progressive laws. Portugal has some of the most progressive laws concerning fertility treatment in the world, meaning many patients are able to access the treatment they need in Portugal easily, where it could be complicated or impossible for them to have treatment in the UK.

12. Do you welcome a lot of English patients? 

At Ferticentro we're proud to welcome lots of English and Irish patients. Our team speaks English (as well as several other languages) perfectly, so the process and communication is very smooth. We've seen an increase in English and Irish patients in recent years, perhaps because of the spiralling costs of treatment in the UK. 

 For more information about Ferticentro, visit their website.