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26/08/2003
NHS may offer free fertility treatment
Couples with infertility problems should not have to pay for fertility treatment from the NHS, according to recommendations from a government watchdog.
The latest draft of clinical guideline on assessment and management of fertility problems from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) has recommended limited treatment of people with fertility problems via the NHS in England and Wales.
The guideline, which is being developed by the National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health on behalf of Nice, could mean an end to infertility treatment which has been branded a “postcode lottery” depending on the local health trust’s policy.
However, corporate affairs director for Nice, Anne-Toni Rodgers, warned that Nice had not been tasked with looking at the affordability of fertility treatment, nor the social issues around its use.
Ms Rodgers said: “Our job is to produce a treatment guideline which supports the NHS in diagnosing fertility problems and, once the diagnosis is confirmed, managing treatment."
During this consultation period anyone with an interest in the guideline can make comments on the draft version via the Nice website at www.nice.org.uk.
Although Nice has not yet issued guidance to the NHS on how fertility treatment should be provided, final guidance is expected by February 2004.
Treatment will not be offered to those over 40 as the chances of success are reduced over this age. Also those under 23 will not be included unless there is a specific medical problem that means there is no chance of a pregnancy.
It is estimated that the NHS could be faced with a bill for hundreds of millions of pounds if demands for the guideline-recommended fertility treatment procedures are as high as anticipated.
(SP)
The latest draft of clinical guideline on assessment and management of fertility problems from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) has recommended limited treatment of people with fertility problems via the NHS in England and Wales.
The guideline, which is being developed by the National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health on behalf of Nice, could mean an end to infertility treatment which has been branded a “postcode lottery” depending on the local health trust’s policy.
However, corporate affairs director for Nice, Anne-Toni Rodgers, warned that Nice had not been tasked with looking at the affordability of fertility treatment, nor the social issues around its use.
Ms Rodgers said: “Our job is to produce a treatment guideline which supports the NHS in diagnosing fertility problems and, once the diagnosis is confirmed, managing treatment."
During this consultation period anyone with an interest in the guideline can make comments on the draft version via the Nice website at www.nice.org.uk.
Although Nice has not yet issued guidance to the NHS on how fertility treatment should be provided, final guidance is expected by February 2004.
Treatment will not be offered to those over 40 as the chances of success are reduced over this age. Also those under 23 will not be included unless there is a specific medical problem that means there is no chance of a pregnancy.
It is estimated that the NHS could be faced with a bill for hundreds of millions of pounds if demands for the guideline-recommended fertility treatment procedures are as high as anticipated.
(SP)
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30 August 2006
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Call for IVF ban for obese women
Fertility experts have recommended that obese women should be denied IVF treatment unless they lose weight. The British Fertility Society suggested that women who were classed as obese - defined as having a body mass index of over 29 - would have to lose weight before starting treatment.
23 March 2010
Views Sought On Fertility Treatment
Patients have been urged to express their views on fertility treatment offered by the NHS in a new national survey. Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority (HFEA) said it aims to gauge the views and experiences of people throughout the UK who have had, are undergoing or are preparing for fertility treatment.
Views Sought On Fertility Treatment
Patients have been urged to express their views on fertility treatment offered by the NHS in a new national survey. Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority (HFEA) said it aims to gauge the views and experiences of people throughout the UK who have had, are undergoing or are preparing for fertility treatment.
01 October 2003
Women lose right to save frozen embryos
Two women have lost a High Court bid to gain control over their frozen embryos without the consent of their former partners. Natallie Evans, 31, and Lorraine Hadley, 38, had been seeking the High Court to rule on whether they could complete an in vitro fertilization programme that had been commenced with former partners.
Women lose right to save frozen embryos
Two women have lost a High Court bid to gain control over their frozen embryos without the consent of their former partners. Natallie Evans, 31, and Lorraine Hadley, 38, had been seeking the High Court to rule on whether they could complete an in vitro fertilization programme that had been commenced with former partners.
07 January 2005
Reid hails mobile treatment centres as success
According to a report published today more than 120,000 patients have been treated since the start of the government's pioneering Treatment Centre programme, in some cases up to eight times faster than traditional NHS providers.
Reid hails mobile treatment centres as success
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10 August 2006
Woman dies after IVF treatment
A woman has died after receiving IVF treatment at a hospital in England, it has been confirmed. The woman, who has not been named, underwent routine IVF treatment at the Royal Leicester Infirmary last week. According to reports, the woman was sent home, but was later readmitted to hospital after apparently developing complications.
Woman dies after IVF treatment
A woman has died after receiving IVF treatment at a hospital in England, it has been confirmed. The woman, who has not been named, underwent routine IVF treatment at the Royal Leicester Infirmary last week. According to reports, the woman was sent home, but was later readmitted to hospital after apparently developing complications.
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