Only 27% of IVF cycles in the UK were funded by the NHS in 2022, a significant decline from 40% in 2012. This means only one in four women was able to get NHS funded IVF treatment.
In 2022, around 52,500 women underwent IVF treatment. While these numbers continue to grow, the funds are apparently shrinking.
What is the NHS IVF postcode lottery?
In England, the funding criteria for IVF is set by the local Integrated care boards (ICBs), which have replaced the clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) since July 2022.
There are 42 ICBs in different areas of England, and your IVF funding depends upon the individual policy of the ICB in your area.
Interestingly, in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is decided by national criteria, but in England, whether or not you get IVF funding depends upon where you live.
“It is a so-called postcode lottery and we have seen wide-ranging inequalities,” said Clare Ettinghausen, from UK’s Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority, while talking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“So [it is not only] where you live, but your relationship status, whether you have a child from a previous relationship.”
She also said they’ve noted black patients receive far less funding than white couples.
What is the criteria for NHS IVF funding?
Given the high cost of IVF treatment and the fact that success is not guaranteed, funding of the procedure is of paramount importance to some patients.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) lays out clear guidelines of who they believe should be offered NHS IVF funding.
They suggest that:
- Women under 40 years should qualify for three rounds of IVF if they have been trying for two or more years
- 40–42-year-olds should qualify for one round
Are NICE guidelines being ignored?
It would appear that in some areas the NICE guidelines are being completely ignored when it comes to deciding NHS funding benefits for IVF.
It is up to the local ICBs to make decisions as to what treatments to prioritize funding to in their local authority. For IVF, they often include additional criteria to the NICE guidelines making it harder for the patients.
This includes:
- Neither partner having other children, from this or previous relationships
- Stricter age ranges
- Healthy BMI
- Non-smokers only
In fact, statistics had previously shown that only 12 percent of ICBs follow the guidance laid out by NICE.
Inconsistencies in NHS funded IVF
Dr Raj Mathur, a consultant gynecologist at St. Mary’s hospital, Manchester told The Guardian that he accepts NHS patients from 23 different ICBs across north-west England.
He stated that “the geographical differences in funding were discriminatory.” Sometimes he sees women from Manchester qualify for just one cycle, while those from Rochdale, qualify for three.
In fact, some residential streets even span across two different ICB areas, therefore neighbors living over the road from each other may also qualify for different levels of funding.
Shockingly, in some areas of the UK, no funding for IVF is offered. Whereas, in other areas the recommended three cycles worth of funding are easily available.
These patients travel to other countries, where the treatment is not only affordable, but also immediately available.
One of our English clients, received IVF treatment with Dr. Paul Tay, who actually completed his medical education in the UK.
“Dr Paul was very kindhearted,” she said, “He kindly and patiently guided us through the whole process. I felt reassured.”
IVF treatment cost for her was £3,500. This includes frozen embryos to be used in the future, should they decide to have another baby.
Another doctor, Dr. Krinos Trokoudes, one of the pioneers of IVF in Cyprus and Greece, is quite popular among our English clients.
For an online consultation and our affordable IVF packages, get in touch using the contact button.
Why are NHS IVF cycles dropping?
This decline in NHS funded IVF cycles is not only due to lower of funding but also attributed to the growing rate of infertility.
As more people seek financial support for IVF, the percentage of people who can actually get it lowers.
Are you willing to relocate or travel for IVF?
Dr Mathur also told The Guardian, that “he constantly saw patients moving house in order to get more free IVF cycles.”
Given that IVF can cost patients in excess of £10,000, this is often the only way patients can afford to access fertility treatments.
Inconsistent funding of fertility treatment is definitely an issue that requires further attention. Fertility campaigners have been putting pressure on the government to review this and make a change to policies.