By Katy Sinclair
A report published by the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Infertility has highlighted the need for greater funding for infertility treatment on the NHS. The UK National Infertility Awareness Campaign (NIAC) has welcomed the report, as part of its continued campaign to end the current 'postcode lottery' of NHS infertility treatment provision.
The report recommends the implementation of National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on fertility treatment, which state all patients who meet the agreed eligibility criteria should be provided with three free cycles of IVF. The report also highlights the need for a full cycle of IVF to be provided, which would include the transfer of both fresh and frozen embryos.
Moves towards single embryo transfer (SET) are likely to continue, with the all-party group stating that patients are more likely to accept SET if services are properly funded. Patients may be less likely to accept SET if they know they are unlikely to be funded for more than one cycle. Moves towards SET are supported as part of the attempt to reduce multiple births, which carry a greater risk to both mother and babies.
Clair Brown, Chair of the NIAC, supported the findings in the report. She commented: 'we believe SET is an important step towards reducing the health risks associated with multiple births from IVF, but it must be stressed that in introducing this, patients should have access to three full cycles of treatment'. The NIAC also highlighted the varying levels of treatment provided across the country, despite Government assurances that all eligible women would be provided with at least one free cycle of IVF by April 2005.
Treasurer of the all-party group, Bob Russell MP, said: 'NICE's recommendation to provide three cycles of IVF on the NHS is still ignored by many PCTs. A further push is needed to ensure this recommendation is met and those seeking infertility treatment have the same rights as other patients with respect to waiting times for consultations and treatments. This is not currently the case.'
Sources and References
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NIAC Welcomes Call For Increased Funding For Infertility Treatment, UK
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Government attempts to tackle IVF 'postcode lottery'
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