Access to NHS-funded fertility treatment, including IVF, is an area of special interest to PET. Many people in need of treatment find themselves faced with the 'postcode' lottery, which means the level of NHS-funded care in England is restricted due to where they live, being in a same-sex relationship or other personal circumstances. BioNews has reported on this situation for over 25 years, below you will find a specially curated selection of articles aimed at giving you the bigger picture.
What is the criteria for accessing NHS-funded IVF?
Each Integrated Care Board (ICB) will have its own detailed fertility policy. This includes clinical as well as non-clinical eligibility criteria. The majority of ICBs offer a level of care which is below that recommended in the NICE Guideline.
What level of fertility treatment is available in my area?
PET reviews all available fertility policies, checking them each month to ensure accuracy. You can find out what level of treatment is available in your area using the PET Fertility Policy Tracker.
Explore this specially curated selection of articles about IVF funding from the BioNews archive.
2024
PET's first face-to-face event since the pandemic discussed the potential for UK fertility funding for single people...
2023
This film documents a PET event about the funding and provision of fertility treatment, and what is meant by a 'full' cycle of IVF...
2023
The Chair of the HFEA explains that more people than ever are having to pay for fertility services in the UK...
2023
Find out about the research commissioned by PET, looking at GP and NHS commissioner understanding of the NICE Fertility Guideline...
2022
A clinical commissioning group is consulting on a single fertility policy that will provide eligible patients with three rounds of NHS-funded IVF...
2021
A national audit has highlighted regional differences in IVF funding, set by local clinical commissioning groups...
2020
Relationship status and body mass index are being used to restrict people's access to NHS-funded treatment...
2019
Tax-financed health systems are reliant on younger and healthier individuals paying into a system that is mostly consumed by older citizens...
2018
A report suggests that better IVF funding could decrease multiple pregnancies and the associated strain on the NHS...
2017
New patients will now have access to three cycles of IVF on the NHS in Scotland...
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2016
13 clinical commissioning groups are considering making cuts to IVF funding, potentially removing the procedure on the NHS in some areas...
2015
The number of CCGs in England offering the recommended number of IVF cycles to its patients is falling...
2014
Clinical commissioners seem to view the national recommendations on fertility treatment as a sort of à la carte menu...
2012
A couple who were refused NHS fertility treatment have said they intend to challenge the decision in the courts...
2012
The funding of fertility treatment in the UK is among the lowest in Europe, according to a new study...
2011
Anne Milton has said that NHS Primary Care Trusts should offer three cycles of IVF to eligible couples....
2011
NHS Warwickshire is to resume providing fertility services this month, after it suspended many routine procedures last summer amid financial concerns...
2010
Isle of Man couples wishing to undergo IVF will only have funds to complete one cycle of treatment, following a review of fertility care...
2008
Thousands of couples who need assisted conception treatment such as IVF or ICSI, in order to have a child, are not able to access NHS treatment...
2005
The failure of the UK Government to provide NHS-funded IVF treatment is of increasing concern to many thousands of infertile couples...
2005
The deadline for partial implementation of guidelines recommending free fertility treatment passed last week, and many are still facing lengthy waits...
2003
A row has erupted over egg sharing, where women are offered free or discounted IVF in return for their eggs...
2001
NICE has announced details of a work programme that will include guidelines for infertility services, and for managing genetic risk of familial breast cancer...
2000
Fertility expert Robert Winston has described the provision of fertility treatment on the UK's health service as a 'shambles'...
1999
Speculation that the Department of Health will recommend an upper age limit for women needing IVF is alarming...
