'Very emotional': patients forced to make difficult decisions as IVF clinic to close

Although they weren't planning to have more children, the email was still confronting for Gemma Killen and Yen Eriksen.

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IVFAustralia this week emailed the Canberra couple the news that the company's Canberra clinic will close in December because of the departure of two specialists.

Gemma Killen and Yen Eriksen in 2025. Picture by Picture by Gary Ramage

"We've already made that decision not to have more children but it was still very emotional to be getting the email out of the blue," Dr Killen said.

"We haven't decided what we want to do with the embryos and it's an emotional situation because we have lost several pregnancies along the IVF journey."

Other people undergoing fertility treatments with IVFAustralia are making decisions about whether to bring forward treatments or move to other clinics.

"I think people are trying to make decisions about whether to bring forward transfers potentially before they're quite ready to do it, and that also has an associated cost," Dr Killen said.

"You might plan your IVF very carefully around how much money you have at the time, so people will be making that decision and then making decisions about whether to go interstate to do IVF if it's beyond the December timeframe or to switch to another clinic in Canberra."

IVFAustralia has promised to store frozen embryos, eggs and sperm for Canberra patients in NSW and is providing counselling and advice on how they can transition to other services.

Final egg collections will take place on December 16 and final embryo transfers on December 21.

Dr Killen was concerned about the reduction in fertility clinic choices for Canberrans who wanted to start families. She had initially gone to another clinic before switching to IVFAustralia.

"My concern is that the closure will have an impact on price competition and that it could particularly adversely impact already marginalised people," she said.

Gemma Killen, Yen Eriksen and their daughter Tao in 2025. Picture by Gary Ramage

IVFAustralia decided to close the clinic after unsuccessful attempts were made to recruit new specialists.

"Our patient care team is taking the time needed to sensitively guide our patients through these personal and sensitive circumstances," a spokesperson said.

"We thank patients for their patience and understanding, and our staff for their care and support throughout this transition and the care they have provided patients over many years in Canberra."

Alternative IVF providers in the ACT include Genea Canberra and Compass Fertility.

ACT Health Minister Marisa Paterson said the clinic closure could add further stress to individuals and families undergoing fertility treatment.

"I encourage affected patients to engage with IVF Australia to ensure they receive all relevant medical records, treatment information and support needed to make a smooth transition to a new provider," Dr Paterson said.