73% of PCTs are failing to provide recommended IVF treatments
Date: Fri 3rd June 2011
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Date: 7th June 2011 |
APPG on Infertility: 73 % of PCTs are failing to provide recommended IVF treatments
Following a number of FOI questions to all PCTs in the UK on IVF provision, Gareth Johnson MP for Dartford and Chairman of the APPG on Infertility, launches the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infertility report ‘Holding back the British IVF Revolution?’ This report highlights the inconsistent availability of IVF provision.
NICE current guideline recommends that up to three cycles of IVF be offered to eligible couples where the woman is aged between 23 and 39. Gareth Johnson will highlight that this is being ignored in 73% of PCTs.
West Kent PCT has recently increased its provision for new treatments to two cycles from zero previously.
Gareth Johnson has found that:
- Still only one quarter of PCTs offer the recommend three cycles of IVF
- There is widespread evidence of PCTs adding extra conditions on infertile couples that prevent them obtaining treatment
- PCTs are failing to give IVF adequate priority
- Success rates are improving but it is not getting significantly easier to obtain IVF
- No PCT is offering more than the NICE guidelines
Gareth Johnson will say:
Gareth said: “I have had meetings with West Kent PCT when I expressed my dismay at their provision, I am however, happy to see that they have recently increased their provision to two cycles. This mirrors the situation in Medway PCT.
“IVF is the creation of life and gives hope to thousands of infertile couples across the UK. IVF treatment was invented in Britain and so more than any other country we should be championing its use. As Chairman of the APPG on Infertility, I believe that all PCTs should be offering three cycles of treatment as recommended by the NICE guidelines.
“One in Seven couples in the UK suffer from infertility problems, indeed more women attend GP surgeries to obtain advice on infertility than any other issue other than pregnancy. This shows just how big an issue infertility is for so many people.”
All media are invited to the launch on Tuesday, 7th June at 10am in the Jubilee Room, Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament.
Editors’ notes:
Attached is the full report.
The full report can also be found on the website.
Key Statistics:
PCTs who responded 152 (86%)
PCTs who did not respond 25 (14%)
Of those who responded 97% are offering new patients IVF
Number of cycles offered:
IVF not offered 3%
1 cycle 39%
2 cycles 27%
3 cycles 27%
Unknown 3%
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