No.1 Fertility, a Melbourne-based fertility clinic founded by specialist Dr Lynn Burmeister and scientific director Kelli Sorby in 2018, has signed a significant agreement with Epworth HealthCare to expand its fertility services. The partnership will see the expansion of No.1 Fertility’s booming baby business and provide a dedicated fertility day surgery.
The new day surgery covers the ground floor of the entire building in East Melbourne where Dr Burmeister’s Emerald City clinic is located. The day surgery is world-class and has been purpose-built to cater to the surge in egg freezing patients and IVF procedures, complete
with a purpose-built 180 square metre egg cryogenic storage area and a new andrology clinic.
Epworth Freemasons Jolimont Road will feature two operating theatres for egg retrieval and 16 patient recovery beds. The surgery is equipped with state-of-the-art fertility technology and laboratories to conduct cutting-edge research, creating further advancements in treatment. The new day surgery will be used exclusively for fertility treatment.
The expansion of No.1 Fertility reflects the growth of the fertility industry, as both men and women delay parenthood until their late 30s. Patients will now receive their entire egg freezing or IVF treatment journey at the East Melbourne clinic, with no need for transportation of eggs or embryos, and all procedures will be conducted at the new day surgery.
“I’m thankful that women across Victoria have embraced No.1 Fertility since we started offering affordable IVF and egg freezing treatment in beautifully decorated clinics,” said Dr Burmeister, No.1 Fertility’s founder and medical director. “We’ve carried this through to our new day surgery, which looks more like a boutique 5-starhotel than a clinic.”
“This landmark agreement will allow us to keep growing to ensure we can help as many people as possible achieve their dream of having a baby.”
“Fertility is so much more than IVF. We know male factor infertility affects 50% of couples trying to conceive, which is why we have a specialised clinic to address that. For others, it’s about preserving their fertility by egg freezing. We’ve seen a surge in egg freezing patients as more people are empowered to take control of their fertility.”
No.1 Fertility currently conducts patient egg retrievals from Epworth Freemasons in East Melbourne. The partnership will see all of No.1’s fertility procedures move to the new day surgery and free up an operating theatre at Epworth Freemasons.
Jo Goodridge, acting Executive General Manager, Epworth Freemasons, said Epworth is delighted to partner with No.1 Fertility, in this exciting new venture. “The new day surgery theatres are staffed and operated by Epworth Freemasons. This is a win for both Epworth patients and No.1 Fertility patients,” Ms Goodridge said. “The new theatres will free up theatre time at the other sites across Epworth Freemasons, so we will be able to care for significantly more patients who need gynaecology, urology, general or orthopaedic surgery.”
No.1 Fertility currently has 180 staff and expects to grow to 300 by 2024, with additional doctors and nurses joining the clinic to accommodate patient demand.
“The décor in the new day hospital will reflect the soft colours that help make our patients feel more comfortable and relaxed,” Dr Lynn said. “My patients have fertility issues. They are not sick, so all of my rooms are designed to look different from a traditional clinical atmosphere.”
The new Epworth Freemasons Jolimont Road theatres will begin taking IVF patients on 3 April 2023.
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