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Slightly older residents can now receive free IVF

Changes to local NHS policy on help to conceive have now come into effect

Rules around who is eligible for help to conceive on the NHS – and what treatment they can receive – changed across North East London yesterday.

The local NHS first announced they were planning to update their policy, to ensure the same rules apply across all seven North East London boroughs and the City of London, in the summer of last year.

Since the changes came into effect yesterday (3rd April), Waltham Forest residents aged 42 will now be eligible for IVF treatment on the NHS, whereas previously the cut-off was 41. However, patients of any age with few or poor-quality eggs can now be denied treatment.

The policy change has also made it possible for residents with “social, cultural or religious objections to IVF” to receive donor insemination on the NHS, which it would not previously fund.

Dr Anju Gupta, clinical lead at NHS North East London, said: “Our new policy is good news for local people who need help to try to have a baby.

“We’ve increased the amount of treatment you can have and improved access to some treatments. I’m proud that the policy is fairer and that it recognises people’s different fertility situations and needs.

“Fertility and fertility problems are a highly personal and emotive topic, and every person has different needs and expectations of what support the NHS should provide.

“With this in mind, we acknowledge that our new policy doesn’t address all of the concerns of some local people. However, we believe it does address inequalities across north east London, while prioritising treatment for people with proven fertility issues.”

Under the new policy, patients will not receive help to conceive on the NHS if at least two out of three tests show they have “low ovarian reserve”, meaning fewer or poor quality eggs.

This is despite NICE guidelines stating only patients aged 40+ should be subject to “ovarian reserve” tests before they are deemed eligible for treatment.

The consultation document states: “With limited NHS budgets we have to make sure we’re funding treatment where it is also likely to result in a person becoming pregnant, which is why we are using ovarian reserve criteria but increasing funding for IVF cycles in our proposed policy.” 

Find out more on the NHS website here.


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