Manchester health board plans to cut IVF to one cycle

NHS Greater Manchester is consulting on a proposal to harmonise the number of NHS-funded IVF cycles offered across the region, meaning a reduction in cycles for some residents.

Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board (ICB) (known as NHS Greater Manchester) has proposed a single policy to offer one NHS-funded IVF cycle to eligible women aged 39 and under across the region. A second funded cycle would only be available if the first is cancelled or abandoned. If adopted, residents in four boroughs would have their current entitlement of two or three NHS-funded IVF cycles reduced. The proposed new policy is not compliant with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline, which recommends three cycles of IVF for women aged 39 and under. Residents of Greater Manchester have the chance to reply to the consultation with their feedback on the proposed changes.

'Fertility is a deeply personal and often emotional topic, which is why this consultation is so important,' Katherine Sheerin, chief officer for commissioning at NHS Greater Manchester said. 'Whether you've had experience with IVF, are considering fertility treatment, or simply want to share your perspective, please take part and share your views.'

If adopted, there would be no change for residents in the six Greater Manchester boroughs, which already offer one NHS-funded cycle. However, people living in Salford, Stockport and Wigan would see a reduction from their current entitlement of two cycles, and those in Tameside would see a reduction from their current entitlement of three cycles.

Previously, ten different Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), determined the number of NHS-funded IVF cycles available in the areas within Greater Manchester region, causing discrepancies between areas. In July 2022, the CCGs were replaced by NHS Greater Manchester, which is now responsible for commissioning NHS health services across the whole region.

In launching the consultation, NHS Greater Manchester said: 'We want a fair, equitable and consistent approach to IVF services across Greater Manchester, with every woman and their family who need support from IVF services having access to the same number of cycles wherever they live across the city region.'

A similar exercise is taking place in the neighbouring NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB. There, patients in the former Halton, Knowsely, Southport and Formby, South Sefton, and Warrington CCGs are currently eligible for three cycles of funded IVF, while those in Cheshire West, Liverpool, St Helens and the Wirral are currently eligible for two cycles. Only Cheshire East CCG previously offered only one cycle, but the proposal is now to offer one funded cycle across the region.

'Harmonisation of IVF cycles across a region shouldn't be a rush to the bottom,' said Sarah Norcross, director of PET (the Progress Educational Trust). 'Fertility treatment should be a point of pride, especially in the North West of England where IVF was pioneered'.

PET provides the free-to-use Fertility Policy Tracker, a regularly updated guide to IVF funding and fertility policies within each ICB across England (see BioNews 1247).

The proposals only concern changes to the number of cycles offered to women ages 39 and under, and there are no proposed changes to eligibility criteria within the region. Currently, across both regions, women aged 40-42 are entitled to one NHS-funded IVF cycle, subject to eligibility.

The NHS Manchester consultation is open until 29 July 2025, and the Cheshire and Merseyside consultation is open until 15 July.