Denis Campbell’s reporting that just 27% of IVF cycles in 2022 were funded by the NHS is a damning reflection of the state of fertility in the UK and particularly concerning in light of our plummeting birthrates (Report, 18 July).
Eleven years ago the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended patients receive three full NHS-funded IVF cycles, yet today just 7% of the UK’s integrated care boards (ICBs) meet these guidelines. The IVF postcode lottery is unacceptable and goes against the founding principles of our NHS, which is to offer fair and equal access to healthcare.
Yet there are practicable solutions to restore fertility provision in this country. The first is to tackle the IVF postcode lottery with the introduction of a national IVF tariff. Price caps exist on other medical treatments and a tariff on the upper limit ICBs pay for a single IVF cycle will help the NHS budget go much further and reduce the disparity of access across the UK.
The other critical component is reversing our falling birthrates, which is very important for an ageing society and an economic imperative. For that reason we must see cross-departmental collaboration between the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Women and Equalities Committee and the Treasury to address this policy shortfall and financial inequalities so as to secure the future fertility and financial health of the UK.
Geeta Nargund
Lead consultant in reproductive medicine, St George’s hospital, London
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