Press statement from the LWC

22nd January 2010
Too Old to be a Mum?

We understand that a BBC documentary scheduled for broadcast on Tuesday 26th January will suggest that Ms Susan Tollefsen is seeking fertility treatment at the London Women's Clinic (LWC) at the age of 59. This follows extensive media coverage of Ms Tollefsen during the past week which has also suggested she will receive treatment at the LWC.

The LWC wishes to clarify the following points:

Ms Tollefsen is not a patient of the LWC and has had no formal consultation or investigation with this clinic;

Ms Tollefsen was filmed at the LWC several months ago for a BBC documentary. There has been no subsequent contact between the LWC and Ms Tollefsen, and we have received no indication that she might wish to pursue treatment with us;

Ms Tollefsen was filmed taking part in a discussion with Mr Peter Bowen Simpkins, medical director of the LWC, for the purposes of a documentary about maternal age. The filming took place at the request of the BBC and included discussion of Ms Tollefsen’s treatment options. The full discussion lasted around 30 minutes and we do not know what excerpts of the discussion will be used in the documentary;

In his discussion with Ms Tollefsen, Mr Bowen Simpkins stressed that he was not in a position to say whether the LWC could offer her treatment and that her specific case would have to be discussed by the LWC's executive committee. Mr Bowen Simpkins also pointed out that any treatment would depend on her husband's full consent, a supportive letter from her doctor, a detailed consultation with a counsellor and a full medical examination.

Contrary to recent press reports, the LWC has not discussed the case of Ms Tollefsen, nor agreed to her treatment. A departmental meeting on 14th January discussed the general subject of treating postmenopausal patients, but without reference to Ms Tollefsen.

The LWC assesses all its fertility cases with sympathy and understanding. Consideration of any patient, whether over the age of 50 or not, would depend upon her individual health and circumstances and on the welfare of any future child. The LWC also recognises that patients embark on fertility treatment with great thought and commitment, especially those of an older maternal age. The LWC respects these sentiments.

Dr Kamal Ahuja PhD
Scientific and Managing Director
London Women's Clinic