IVF - UP TO 6 GOES ON THE NHS

babyface · Post by **babyface** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 6:14 pm

Hi Girls, How's it going? I hope you are all well. Just to let you know I finally decided to book an appointment to see a consultant re going private for IVF, but a couple of weeks ago, someone told me I was mad and that I should wait, as the NHS are in discussion about giving up to 6 goes of IVF free, have any of you heard about this? do you know if this is for definate and when will this be starting? Any information you have on this would be appreciated. Thank You Pat x

Lynned · Post by **Lynned** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 6:55 pm

Hi Pat, Yes, it has been reported on the news that a study has been carried out and its recommendation is that women under 40 should be able to get 6 attempts on the nhs. I believe the study will not be concluded until Feb 04 and then I don't know how long it will take to implement could be a while as they will need additional funding. You might find more info on internet. Hope this helps Lots of Love Lynne

bubblymichelle · Post by **bubblymichelle** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 7:55 pm

Hi Pat Not spoke to you in ages wondered where you had got to, to be honest it is true but they are still working on it. The thing is what you have to think about is how long the waiting list will be, it will be a long process. Its took you this long to say your going private I wouldn't let something else stand in your way. Love Shell. xx

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 8:46 pm

Hi all- copied and edited this from website (probably illegal!) "Fertility treatment could soon be far more widely available on the NHS. The government body that recommends which drugs and treatments should be available on the health service is considering extending free IVF treatment to all infertile women under 40. However the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), stressed its IVF report was only at first draft stage and was open to consultation. NICE said it was an attempt to set national standards for fertility treatment to end the existing "postcode lottery" for women. The draft report was sent out for consultation last month and the new IVF guidelines are expected to be published next year. One in six couples have fertility problems in Britain and there are 27,000 IVF attempts in the country every year. Four out of five of these are done at private clinics. If they were done on the NHS the cost would be an estimated £400m and questions have already been raised about where the funding would come from" Hope that helps... Love Kat xx [Edited by Kat on 18-Aug-03 13:47]

Lorraine · Post by **Lorraine** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 11:01 pm

Hello Pat. At present NICE have only made this as a recommendation - after consultation it is likely that recommendations will be implemented in some form - but negotiations/establishing funding are likely to be protracted. As for the 6 attempts - its actually 3 fresh cycles plus a further 3 if frozen embies available. Not quite the same as 6 attempts! The problem which exists is that very very few NHS hospitals have facilities to offer IVF/ICSI - as currently we are all in the private sector - so unless the government/NHS are willing to pay the private sector for services it will cost a huge amount to establish services within NHS hospitals - never mind pay for treatment across the board. Whilst we should be glad NICE has made this recommendation - and we should be hopeful it will come to fruition - I am not sure you can rely upon it in the near future and should continue with your consultation. I would suggest you talk to your GP/Consultant. Good luck to you. Lorraine. xxx