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Written question asked by James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 20 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 February 2026. It was answered by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Monday, 2 March 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Fertility: Health Services

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with Sussex Integrated Care Board on its policy on access to fertility services.

Answer

No such discussions have taken place.

Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their local population. We expect these organisations to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.

NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guideline and will consider whether its current recommendations for access to National Health Service-funded treatment are still appropriate. The draft guidance was consulted on between 10 September and 21 October 2025, and final guidance is expected to be published in March 2026. We expect ICBs to consider and reflect the updated NICE fertility guideline in their commissioning decisions when it is published, and we are working with NHS England to support greater consistency in provision.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
114634
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Fertility Health services Sussex
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk