When you're on a fertility journey, choosing the right clinic is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. You want to know that the team caring for you is at the top of their field — not just clinically, but in the way they treat you as a person.
So we wanted to share some really exciting news. Care Fertility has been shortlisted for six awards at the European Fertility Society (EFS) Fertility Care Awards 2026. These are some of the most respected awards in fertility care across Europe, and being recognised in six different categories means a lot to us.
But more than the recognition itself, we think these nominations tell you something important about who we are and how we care for our patients. Each one reflects something we genuinely believe in — compassion, collaboration, and expertise.
Quick jump:
Shortlisted for: Best Fertility Social Media Channel
Because staying connected to you matters
A fertility journey can feel very lonely at times. That's why we've worked hard to build a social media presence that's honest, warm, and genuinely useful — not just a feed of clinic announcements.
From behind-the-scenes looks at our IVF labs, to real patient stories, to posts that simply acknowledge how hard the festive season can be when you're trying to conceive — we try to show up for our community online in the same way our teams show up in clinic.
One of the things we're most proud of is the work we've done to open up conversations about male infertility. When Tom shared his story with us — about feeling ashamed and alone with his diagnosis — it resonated with thousands of people. That kind of honest storytelling takes courage, and we're grateful to every patient who has shared their journey with us
"Infertility made me feel like less of a man — and I was too ashamed to talk about it." — Tom, Care Fertility patient
This nomination is for our community as much as it is for us. You're the reason we keep showing up.
Shortlisted for: Best LGBTQ+ Patient Experience
Because every family deserves to feel completely at home with us
We believe that everyone — whatever their background, identity, or family structure — deserves to feel genuinely welcomed and supported in our clinics. Not just tolerated. Welcomed.
Over the past few years, we've built what we call our LGBTQ+ Fertility Excellence Pathway. It might sound like a formal name for something, but in practice it means that from the very first phone call, we're getting things right for LGBTQ+ patients — using affirmed names and pronouns, connecting you with the right specialist, and making sure every step of your care reflects your specific journey, whether that's shared motherhood, donor conception, surrogacy, or fertility preservation before gender-affirming treatment.
"From the moment we made contact, every single person made us feel genuinely seen, supported and embraced. Care Fertility Manchester didn't just meet that expectation, they exceeded it in every possible way."
— Ian, Ben & Toby — Care Fertility patients
"We never felt like just another patient. We felt understood, valued and genuinely cared for."
— Roo & Holly — Care Fertility patients
Hearing words like these reminds us why this work matters so much. Being shortlisted for this award means the world to our teams — and to the families they've helped build.
Shortlisted for: Best Education Project
Because the people caring for you deserve world-class training
Here's something most people don't know about IVF: the embryologist — the scientist who works with your eggs, sperm, and embryos in the lab — is one of the most important people in your treatment. You may rarely meet them, but their skill and expertise has a huge impact on your chances of success.
That's why we partnered with Liverpool John Moores University to create the UK's very first Master's degree in Clinical Embryology. It was designed from the ground up by our own scientists — people who work in fertility labs every day — to make sure the next generation of embryologists are trained to the very highest standard.
Every single graduate so far has gone on to work in a fertility laboratory. And the programme has already been Highly Commended in academic review.
When you come to Care Fertility, you benefit from this investment in training and expertise — whether you know it or not.
Shortlisted for: Best Fertility Doctor — Dr Ally Richardson
Because expert care should also feel personal
Dr Ally Richardson is Medical Director at Care Fertility Northampton and Deputy Group Medical Director for Care Fertility UK. She's known for treating some of the most complex fertility cases — including recurrent implantation failure, recurrent miscarriage and reduced ovarian reserve — with both clinical precision and genuine compassion.
What patients consistently tell us about Dr Richardson is that she takes the time to explain things clearly, listens to what matters to them, and never loses sight of the person behind the treatment plan. That approach is backed by serious expertise: alongside her medical training, she holds a PhD in reproductive medicine and a Master's in Medical Ethics and Law, which she draws on to help patients navigate some of the most difficult decisions in their fertility journey.
She's also passionate about raising standards beyond her own clinic — mentoring other doctors, helping shape national training for fertility specialists, and contributing to clinical guidelines used across the UK. It all feeds back into the same goal: safer, more consistent, more compassionate care for every patient she and her colleagues treat.
This nomination recognises what so many of her patients already know — that exceptional fertility care means being a brilliant clinician and a genuinely kind, present person, all at once.
Shortlisted for: Best Fertility Embryologist — Dr Lucy Jenner
Celebrating a career dedicated to patients
Dr Lucy Jenner is retiring this year after more than 30 years in clinical embryology. She has spent her entire career in the lab — working with the tiniest building blocks of life, with quiet precision and an unwavering commitment.
She has led our laboratory teams through decades of scientific development, shaped professional standards across the sector, and mentored the next generation of embryologists. She is also Chair of our network's Biopsy Focus Group, which oversees how we use genetic testing to give embryos the best possible chance.
"Looking back over my career, I am proud not only of the work I have done personally, but of the lasting improvements in systems, professional standards, and workforce capability that ultimately enhance patient care." — Dr Lucy Jenner
We are so proud to see Dr Jenner recognised in this way as she begins her well-deserved retirement. Her legacy is present in every lab, every protocol, and every patient outcome across our network.
Shortlisted for: Best Fertility Nurse & Midwife — Victoria Rawnsley
The nurse who is changing what fertility nursing looks like
Victoria Rawnsley is a Senior Advanced Clinical Practitioner at our Leeds clinic — which means she does far more than most people might expect a nurse to do. She performs ultrasound scans, carries out egg collections and embryo transfers, and guides patients through every stage of their treatment with both clinical skill and genuine warmth.
Her clinical pregnancy rates are among the highest in our organisation. But perhaps even more significantly, she has created something entirely new for the profession: a formal ultrasound training programme, developed with the University of Birmingham, that is now a fully accredited Level 7 qualification — the only one of its kind in the UK.
That means more highly trained nurses in fertility clinics across the country. Which means better care for more patients.
Victoria's patients consistently tell us they feel reassured, informed, and genuinely cared for. That's exactly who we want looking after you.
What this means for you
Six award shortlists. Three values: compassion, collaboration, and expertise.
Whether it's the way we connect with our community online, the inclusive pathways we've built for LGBTQ+ families, the world-class training we invest in, or the extraordinary individuals who dedicate their careers to fertility care — from consultants to embryologists to nurses — every one of these nominations reflects what we believe good fertility care looks like.
The award winners will be announced on 6 July 2026. Whatever the outcome, we're proud of what these nominations represent — and we're proud to care for you.
Thinking about starting your fertility journey with us?
Get in touch with your nearest Care Fertility clinic to find out more about the treatments we offer and the team who will be with you every step of the way.
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