Written question asked by Darren Paffey (Labour) on Friday, 29 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 June 2026 (named day). It was answered by Preet Kaur Gill (Labour) on Monday, 15 June 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

IVF: Health Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to review guidance to Integrated Care Boards on access to NHS-funded frozen embryo transfers for patients with remaining embryos from previous NHS-funded IVF cycles seeking to have a further child.

Answer

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.

On 31 March, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published its updated fertility guideline, which states that a full cycle of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) should include one episode of ovarian stimulation and the transfer of any resulting fresh and frozen embryos.

We expect ICBs to consider and reflect the updated NICE fertility guidelines in their commissioning decisions, and we are working with NHS England to support greater consistency in provision.

There are no plans to review guidance to ICBs on access to National Health Service funded embryo transfers for patients with remaining embryos from previous NHS-funded IVF cycles seeking to have a further child.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5196
Session: 2026-27
Subjects: Health services IVF Integrated care boards
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

IVF: Health Services

Secondary information

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