Written question asked by Sally Keeble (Labour) on Monday, 15 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 March 2010. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Thursday, 18 March 2010 on behalf of the Department of Health.

In Vitro Fertilisation

Question: (3) how many strategic health authority regions provide three cycles of in-vitro fertilisation treatment to NHS patients.

Answer: A Department survey of primary care trusts (PCTs), in 2009, showed that 27 per cent. provided three cycles of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment to patients who fulfilled the criteria for funding, an increase from 5 per cent. in 2007. A further 23 per cent. of PCTs provided two cycles and 47 per cent. provided one cycle. Information on IVF provision at the level of strategic health authority (SHA) is not collected centrally.The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence was commissioned by this Government to produce a clinical guideline on fertility. Published in 2004, the guideline recommended the provision of up to three cycles of IVF for eligible couples.There is no obligation on either SHAs or PCTs to adopt the recommendations set out in the fertility guideline, but the Government have made clear that they expect national health service organisations to do so over time using available resources.To support PCTs in this we have undertaken a programme of work, including the publication of a commissioning aid considering the barriers to the provision of IVF, dissemination of standardised access criteria prepared by patient group Infertility Network UK, and have held the first ever conference for commissioners of fertility treatments.

Secondary information