Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital forced to apologise after IVF centre embryos were infected with bacteria

A major hospital has issued an apology to three IVF patients who have been left heavily ‘distressed’ after a bacterial outbreak ravaged the fertility unit.

The embryos of three women who were undergoing treatment at Camperdown’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital fertility laboratory have been destroyed by a bacterial infection.

The clinic abruptly shut down on Wednesday to undergo a deep clean with RPA notifying those affected by the incident.

Although support has been made available, one woman said she was extremely ‘distressed’ by the news and was planning to ‘go offline’ for a few days to process the situation.

‘We acknowledge this is a difficult time for the patients affected and sincerely apologise,’ an RPA spokesperson said.

‘As a precaution, patients who were due to have fertility procedures over the next week have been redirected to an alternate Genea location.’

‘All other appointments at the fertility unit remain unchanged,’ the spokesperson added.

An investigation is underway to locate the source of the bacteria. 

The last time a similar incident happened at the lab was more than five years ago when a patient unknowingly introduced bacteria, a health worker close to the incident told ABC.

One of the women receiving IVF treatment at the RPA facility said she felt distressed by the news (stock image)

RPA, in conjunction with private provider Genea, is one of only three fertility clinics offering government subsidised low-cost IVF in New South Wales.

One IVF cycle typically leaves to-be parents $5,500 out of pocket after the Medicare rebate.

Government subsidised clinics such as RPA however cap prices at little more than $1,100 after rebate. 

Affected patients will reportedly be offered a free cycle of IVF. 

The facility is expected to re-open and commence normal operation on August 23.