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The IVF postcode lottery: What you need to know
For many families, IVF is a lifeline, one which can help them build a family they have always dreamed of. For some, it is a last resort. However, whether you receive NHS funding for the treatment or need to self-fund depends on where you live, which is also referred to as the NHS postcode lottery.
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What is IVF treatment?
IVF treatment is one of the most common fertility treatments for individuals struggling to conceive naturally. The patient’s own egg and the partner’s sperm can be used with IVF or you can also use donor eggs or sperm.
The treatment starts with hormonal injections that stimulate egg growth. Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilised eggs then develop into embryos, which are cultured for five to six days until they reach the blastocyst stage. The healthiest embryo is then transferred into the womb or frozen for future use.
What is the IVF postcode lottery?
The postcode lottery arises because NHS fertility funding is determined locally by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that the NHS should provide women under 40 with three full cycles of IVF if they have been trying to conceive for more than two years. However, ICBs have the autonomy to make individual decisions regarding the funding of IVF treatment. This means they can set their own limits on the number of IVF cycles offered and establish their own criteria, such as the age range of eligible women.
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The ripple effect of this issue is the creation of a 'postcode lottery,' where access to NHS-funded IVF cycles varies depending on the location of your GP. As a result, individuals suffering from infertility may face additional barriers to treatment. Interestingly, two people who both meet the criteria for NHS treatment under NICE guidelines may receive different levels of care or even no treatment at all.
The reasons behind cutting costs are due to funding limitations, which put pressure on ICBs to reduce costs and, as a result, IVF funding is often cut.
What is funding like elsewhere?
NHS funding for fertility treatments varies across different parts of the UK, with some regions providing more support than others.
Scotland- NHS funding in Scotland is considered the most generous, often referred to as the 'gold standard.' The government currently funds three full IVF cycles for those who meet the eligibility criteria, which are consistently applied across all NHS Scotland boards.
Wales - In Wales, two full cycles of NHS fertility treatment are funded, and the access criteria are standard throughout the country.
Northern Ireland - NHS funding in Northern Ireland is limited, with patients receiving support for only one fresh and one frozen embryo transfer.
It's important to understand that even if you live in an area with NHS IVF funding, you must meet an eligibility criteria, and unfortunately, not everyone does. Factors like age, smoking status and body mass index (BMI) are all taken into consideration. For more information on your eligibility, you can contact your GP or fertility clinic.
You can find out more about funding in your local area by visiting the NHS website.
Referral process of NHS-funded treatment
To access NHS IVF funding for IVF, you'll need a referral from your GP to your local NHS hospital’s fertility clinic.
After your referral, you may meet with an NHS fertility specialist at the hospital for further assessment. Initially, they’ll support you in trying to achieve pregnancy naturally. If this isn’t successful, they will recommend you for fertility treatment at a clinic. Your consultant will provide you with a referral letter, a funding form and a list of NHS-approved fertility clinics in your area.
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If you choose to have treatment with TFP Fertility, we will contact you to book your consultation with one of our fertility specialists. If your NHS test results aren't up-to-date (within the last 12 months), we'll schedule a fertility assessment to determine the best treatment option for you.
Once your treatment pathway has been decided, you'll be ready to begin your treatment. You'll attend a nurse planning appointment where you'll learn how to administer your medication.
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