Cut to fertility services 'cruel'

The lack of NHS fertility treatment across north Staffordshire is "too cruel for words", a charity head says.

North Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) stopped its fertility service for "financial reasons" while the PCT in Stoke-on-Trent offers one IVF cycle.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) recommends infertile couples under 40 should be offered three IVF cycles.

Claire Brown, of Infertility Network UK, said she was "horrified".

She added: "I think many people underestimate the emotional and physical impact of infertility.

"This is an illness and its deserving of investigation and diagnosis - and it's just too cruel for words."

Leaked document

Fertility treatment has been in the spotlight on the 30th anniversary of the birth of the first IVF baby, Louise Brown, in Greater Manchester on July 25, 1978.

Despite the Nice guidelines, only nine out of 151 English health trusts do this, although the Department of Health said more trusts now paid for at least one IVF cycle.

North Staffordshire PCT said it suspended its fertility services due to financial constraints and because it was a "relatively low priority" compared with, for example, cancer treatment.

And a PCT document leaked to Radio Stoke has revealed that infertility consultations should not be commissioned "in any circumstances".

It said only "a young woman with cancer who has no children" should get an initial consultation for infertility.

'Matter of urgency'

Ms Brown said she had not heard before of doctors getting this advice.

"Everywhere, as far as I know, you can get at least investigations and the diagnosis," she said.

North Staffordshire PCT said although it had stopped fertility services it did not mean patients' general health would not be investigated, "just that specific fertility treatments should not be commenced with no prospect of them being continued."

It added it would clarify its position to GPs "as a matter of urgency".

It is also looking at which services to prioritise in its budget.

Stoke-on-Trent PCT said it had re-introduced one IVF cycle in January after an improvement in its finances.

"We feel that reflects the clinical needs of the city. The Nice guideline is a recommendation, it is not prescriptive," its statement said.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Infertility Network
North Staffordshire PCT
Stoke-on-Trent PCT
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