What does it mean to be a benchmark fertility clinic?
When you’re choosing a fertility clinic, it can feel like there’s too much to compare: success rates, costs, treatment options, waiting lists, and how a clinic makes you feel when you walk through the door.
But behind every great clinic lies something even more important: the quality of its embryology laboratory. This is where fertilisation happens, embryos develop, and the foundations of every IVF journey begin.
To make sense of this, international experts created a set of standards that define what good and exceptional look like. These are called the Vienna Consensus KPIs.
What is the Vienna Consensus?
The Vienna Consensus was developed by ESHRE (the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) in 2017. It brought together fertility scientists from around the world to create a common language for IVF laboratory performance.
Its goal was to ensure that, regardless of where you go for treatment, you can compare clinics based on the same quality indicators, known as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
These KPIs measure things like:
- Fertilisation rates (how many eggs successfully fertilise)
- Blastocyst development (how many embryos grow to Day 5–6)
- Implantation rates (how many embryos successfully implant after transfer)
- Embryo freezing and thawing success (cryosurvival rates)
What are fertility KPIs and why do they matter?
In simple terms, KPIs are a clinic’s report card.
They measure how consistent, safe, and effective a laboratory’s work is, not just whether someone gets pregnant, but how well each step leading up to that point is performed.
Understanding these numbers helps patients see beyond headline “success rates” and instead assess the science and care that drive those outcomes.
What’s the difference between a competent and benchmark clinic?
The Vienna Consensus introduced two key terms:
- Competent clinic: meets the minimum expected standard of IVF performance.
- Benchmark clinic: consistently performs at the highest level, setting the standard for others to follow.
For example, a benchmark clinic might achieve a fertilisation rate above 75%, or a blastocyst development rate above 60%, results that reflect world-class laboratory quality.
Why understanding KPIs helps you choose the right fertility clinic
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by percentages and technical terms, but learning a little about KPIs can help you ask better questions and make more confident decisions.
Here’s why they matter:
- Transparency builds trust: Clinics confident in their data will share it openly.
- Consistency equals quality: Good outcomes aren’t just luck, they’re the result of careful lab work and expertise.
- Empowerment through knowledge: Understanding the meaning of these terms helps you compare clinics fairly and determine where your embryos will receive the best care.
The Evewell’s approach to IVF KPIs and benchmark performance
At The Evewell, our laboratories are designed to perform at or above international benchmark standards. We follow the Vienna Consensus principles, but we also recognise how much embryology has evolved since 2017.
We only grow embryos to the blastocyst stage (Day 5–6), focusing on quality and embryo utilisation rather than older measures that no longer reflect modern practice.
The Evewell’s 2025 Results
These results demonstrate that The Evewell consistently meets or exceeds benchmark standards across key areas of laboratory performance and clinical outcomes.
Emma explains how your treatment can be affected by a benchmack clinic
What to ask when comparing fertility clinics
When researching or visiting clinics, here are some questions that can help you understand their quality:
- What are your fertilisation and blastocyst development rates?
- How do your results compare to international benchmarks?
- Do you grow embryos to the blastocyst stage or transfer earlier?
- How do you measure implantation or clinical pregnancy rates?
- How transparent are you with your lab data?
The answers to these questions can reveal far more than success rates alone.
Empowered decisions start with knowledge
Fertility treatment is deeply personal, and every patient’s path is unique. But when it comes to choosing a clinic, understanding the science behind the care gives you confidence that your embryos are in the best possible hands.
At The Evewell, we believe transparency, science, and compassion should go hand in hand. Our results show what’s possible when cutting-edge technology meets patient-centred care — setting a new benchmark for fertility treatment in the UK.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
Choose a clinic with clear success rates, in-house tests, and continuity with the same consultant. At The Evewell, we combine expertise, transparency and support to help you feel confident before treatment begins.
Before starting treatment, most patients have an ultrasound scan, AMH and TSH blood tests, and a semen analysis. At The Evewell, these simple tests help us understand your fertility potential and guide the right next steps for your care.
At The Evewell, your first meeting is with our patient coordination team. They’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and introduce you to consultants, helping you feel supported and ready for the next steps.
It’s not required, but many patients find it helpful. At The Evewell, open evenings let you meet a consultant, an embryologist, and our patient services team to ask questions and learn more.
At The Evewell, we introduce you to our consultants so you can choose based on expertise, approach or specialism. The consultant you select will support you throughout your journey.
For advice, regular tips and support, connect with us
On Social Media
