IVF clinic to open at Chesterfield fire station

IVF is one of several techniques available to helppeople with fertility problems have a baby.

Chesterfield Borough Council has granted conditional planning permission to Nurture Fertility to open the private clinic in surplus office space at the station on Spire Walk.

In its planning application, Nottingham-based Nurture Fertility stated: "This will be a small, private IVF clinic where patients would come for consultations, tests, scans and general advice.

"Should the clinic be financially viable over time, we may look to create a small laboratory - but nothing too extreme or specialist.

"It's expected that two full-time staff would work from the clinic.

"As the landlord is Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, you can be assured that the lease agreement and working practices will not affect safety or means of escape in any way.

"We do not foresee any potential issues of any kind."

IVF is one of several techniques available to help people with fertility problems have a baby.

During IVF, an egg is removed from the woman's ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory.

The fertilised egg, called an embryo, is then returned to the woman's womb to grow and develop.

It can be carried out using the woman's eggs and her partner's sperm - or a donor may provide these.

Louise Brown, conceived through IVF, is known as the world's first 'test-tube baby'.

Her birth by caesarian section at Oldham General Hospital shortly before midnight on July 25, 1978, made headlines around the world.

IVF is considered unethical by many religious groups and the physicians who practice the method often face accusations of 'playing God'.

However, since Mrs Brown's birth almost 40 years ago, more than five million IVF babies have been born.

Nurture Fertility was established by the University of Nottingham in 1991 to study the science behind IVF and develop new techniques and treatments.

Its website states: "We are proud of our patient-led approach, which means we focus on you as individuals and your personal needs.

"We offer a fully comprehensive service including all the latest techniques which allow us to tailor exactly the right treatment for you.

"Should you decide to have treatment with us you can rest assured that our friendly and approachable team will be there for you from the very beginning.

"We'll give you honest clear advice and do everything we can to make your journey with us as easy as possible."