Written question asked by Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 4 April 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 26 April 2011. It was answered by Anne Milton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 April 2011 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Fertility: Health Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that (a) NHS Sutton and Merton and (b) other primary care trusts do not reduce funding for tertiary infertility services where these are provided at levels at or below guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Answer: Primary care trusts (PCTs) are well aware of their statutory commissioning responsibilities and the need to base commissioning decisions on clinical evidence and discussions with local general practitioner commissioners, secondary care clinicians and providers.The NHS deputy chief executive, David Flory, wrote to PCT commissioners on 11 January 2011 to highlight the importance that those involved in commissioning fertility services have regard to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence fertility guidelines, including the recommendation that up to three cycles of in vitro fertilisation are offered to eligible couples where the woman is aged between 23 and 39. The communication has been placed in the Library.The Department also supports Infertility Network UK, the leading fertility patient organisation, to work in partnership with PCTs to encourage good practice in the provision of fertility services. This work is ongoing.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 51771; 527 c430W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2011-0705
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects: Fertility Medical treatments
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk