Desperate couples face ‘cruel and unethical’ IVF rationing as only two per cent of NHS providers offer full treatment, says report
Women under 40 who cannot reproduce are entitled to three rounds of IVF, but report reveals some treatment centres are unable to offer any at all
DESPERATE couples face “cruel and unethical” IVF rationing, says a damning report.
Only one in 50 NHS bodies offer the minimum recommended levels of fertility treatment to struggling Brits.
And IVF provision is the lowest since 2004, when new guidelines were introduced.
Women under 40 are entitled to three full IVF cycles under national rules. But only two per cent of cash-strapped local NHS providers offer this amount.
The report, from charity Fertility Fairness, names and shames England’s worst areas.
Essex tops the list – with no fertility treatment at all on the NHS. But couples living around Manchester can get the full quota of treatment.
Campaigners last night slammed the widespread rationing.
Susan Seenan from Fertility Network UK said: “This is cruel and unethical.
“Health minister Jeremy Hunt has said government will step in when people do not receive nationally
agreed standards of care.
“This is a national disgrace for the country that pioneered IVF.
“Not being able to have children is a shattering experience in itself, without then being denied medical assistance
“People facing fertility issues feel out of control, frustrated, helpless, fearful, worried and sad nearly all of the time.”
Only four out of 209 local NHS commissioning groups – which fund care - are meeting government guidelines.
Figures show more areas are now restricting access to one round of IVF.
But the numbers providing three rounds of treatment dropped from 24 per cent in 2013 to 16 per cent this year.
Professor Adam Balen, chairman of the British Fertility Society, said the findings were “stark”.
He said: “It is shocking that only four out of England’s 209 CCGs follow NICE guidance on access to NHS fertility treatment fully.
“Current access to treatment is a postcode lottery and these health inequalities people face are unacceptable.
“Infertility can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, causing distress, depression and the breakdown of relationships. IVF treatment is cost-effective and should be available on the NHS.”
Essex-based fertility patient Jane Ryan, 29, said: “Through no fault of our own we are unable to have children naturally.
“To then find out North East Essex CCG decided to not help us was like a kick in the teeth.
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“One round of IVF in our area costs roughly £7,000 privately.
“The pressure to pay has put a real strain on our relationship.”
Richard Clothier, 39, from Bedfordshire, and his partner were allowed just one go at fertility treatment, which failed.
He said: “I cannot overstate the psychological effect of learning treatment had been cut from three rounds to one.
“It had a significant impact emotionally and financially.”