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Fertility specialists welcome NICE guidelines
25th February 2004
FERTILITY SPECIALISTS WELCOME NICE GUIDELINES: “THE
FIRST STEP TO CATCHING UP WITH EUROPE”
The British Fertility Society1, representing professionals
in this field, is delighted that the suffering of those that are
unable to conceive has been recognized by NICE, and that the need
for equality in fertility services has been addressed.
Implementation of these guidelines will mean that for the first
time NHS infertility treatment will be available throughout England
and Wales. We hope that the impact of this decision will be to give
ordinary people in Britain access to fertility treatment, and that
today’s guidance marks the turning point for a new generation
of children born to assisted conception.
Since UK scientists and clinicians pioneered IVF with the birth
of Louise Brown 25 years ago the service has struggled with underfunding
and lack of resources, and has had to deny many thousands that suffer
with infertility the chance of biological parenting.
For a generation, assisted conception treatment has largely relied
on patients funding their own treatment in the private sector –
those that are unable to pay, are therefore unable to have children.
In fact the UK currently has one of the lowest rates of publicly
funded assisted conception in Western Europe.2
This guidance takes place against a background of greater funding
being made available to the NHS. NICE has evaluated the cost-effectiveness
of fertility services, it has identified the real problems presented
by infertility, and has concluded that it's fair and equitable for
the NHS to offer certain treatments. NICE has decided that the service
would be a cost-effective use of NHS resources.
The challenge that now faces the Health Service and fertility professionals
is to implement the NICE guidance. The British Fertility Society
looks forward to working with patients, professionals, and the Health
Service to achieve this aim.
Consultant gynaecologist and professor of reproductive medicine
Alison Murdoch, the chair of the Society, said:
‘Every parent knows how important their children are
to them. For too long the chance for infertile couples to have children
has been governed by their postcode, or by their income. Implementation
of this guideline will mean for the first time the opportunity to
have children is not governed by the priorities of your health authority.’
‘A generation ago, with the birth of Louise Brown, Britain
led the world in assisted conception. Since then although we’re
world leaders in research, we’ve fallen behind in provision.
Now fewer people receive publicly funded fertility treatment here
than in much of the rest of Europe. This is the first step to catching
up. The quality of fertility services in the UK is of international
class, we hope the next generation also sees international levels
of access to these services.’
‘It should be understood that publication of the guideline
is only the first step of the process. The next challenge is of
course for us to be supported in implementing these changes. We
will work with Commissioners, PCTs, the Department of Health and
patients to achieve the ultimate aim set out in this guideline:
to bring England and Wales up to world-class standards in fertility
treatment provision.'
Clare Brown, Chief Executive of the patient organisation, Infertility
Network UK and Chair of the National Infertility Awareness Campaign,
said:
"Our organisation has campaigned alongside the British
Fertility Society for more than 10 years to end the totally unacceptable
treatment by postcode situation applied to NHS funding for infertility
treatment during that time. We are therefore equally delighted with
the publication of these guidelines. We are one huge and significant
step nearer to achieving our aim of a fully funded, equitable, efficient
and cost-effective NHS service for the treatment of infertility.
Now we must ensure that this guidance is fully implemented as quickly
as possible so that those affected by fertility problems are able
to access the treatment they need as quickly as possible. Time is
of the essence."
Responses to predictions that ministers will over-rule the NICE
recommendations and allow only one IVF cycle for each eligible patient,
with no fixed deadline for full implementation:
Alison Murdoch, chair of the BFS, said ‘I applaud the
scope of the NICE guidelines, which should profoundly improve service
provision in the UK. The program of implementation will of course
take time, and to get up and running will require compromise from
all parties. However, we should not accept compromise in the content
of the guidelines – anything less than NICE recommend will
mean that services continue to be inadequate. A deadline for compliance
must be given, and clinics must be supported in achieving this fully.
Patients will feel understandably cheated if the NICE guidelines
– which have been developed over two years of consultation
– are ignored when it comes to implementation.’
Dr John Mills, ex-chair of the BFS, said 'A gesture has been
made by NICE to correct a geographical imbalance of provision of
treatment. If this is not implemented fully the opportunity of treatment
for each couple will be quite inadequate. It has been made clear
to NICE that a couple who need this treatment should have three
attempts to allow them a reasonable chance of success. The need
for equality in fertility services has been addressed but will fall
short of what is appropriate, with patients in England and Wales
continuing to receive a quality of care lower than those in Scotland
or other EU countries. I am disappointed that such a poor provision
of service is seen as an adequate compromise by the Health Secretary,
who has missed this opportunity to redress a major failing of the
NHS.'
NOTES TO EDITORS
1 The British Fertility Society is national multidisciplinary Society
representing professionals practising in the field of reproductive
medicine
2 According to a report compiled for the European Society of Human
Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).
For more information: please contact the British Fertility Society press office
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