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IVF Lottery: England Offers Just One Cycle Amid Cuts
9 Feb
Summary
- Nearly 70% of local areas fund only one IVF cycle.
- Two ICBs follow NICE guidelines; others offer partial cycles.
- Fertility rates in England and Wales have fallen significantly.
In England, the majority of local health authorities are providing only one round of NHS-funded IVF, a stark contrast to the three full cycles recommended by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidelines. Research indicates that nearly 70% of integrated care boards (ICBs) now offer a single cycle to women under 40 who have experienced two years of infertility, with 19 of these providing only a partial cycle.
This reduction in access, described as "devastating" by fertility charity Progress Educational Trust (PET), places immense pressure on couples whose single chance at NHS-funded treatment may be their only option due to the high cost of private care. Only two ICBs currently align with Nice recommendations, and regional disparities are pronounced, with the entire north-west region offering just one cycle.
Health minister Karin Smyth has acknowledged the unacceptable variation in fertility service access across the country. While updated Nice guidelines are anticipated this spring, concerns remain that they may not be fully implemented, mirroring historical neglect of fertility treatment as a "Cinderella service." Scotland's model, involving phased implementation and centralized commissioning, is suggested as a potential solution for England.
