30 Years Of IVF, UK

Main Category: Fertility
Article Date: 23 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Following the success of National Infertility Day on 19th July which this year was in recognition of 30 years of IVF, the national patient organisation would like to congratulate all those who have been successful over the last 30 years with fertility treatment but would also like to highlight yet again the shocking fact that many couples are still being denied access to a treatment which was pioneered in this very country.

Clare Brown, Chief Executive of Infertility Network UK said 'I am delighted to wish Louise Brown a very happy 30th birthday. Her birth has been followed by the birth of millions of babies conceived through IVF around the world! I am however disgusted in the same country where the treatment was pioneered by Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards the vast majority of couples are still unable to get NHS funded IVF. We were delighted to have Professor Robert Edwards speak at National Infertility Day on Saturday and it is so sad that 30 years after he helped bring happiness to the first parents to benefit from IVF that so many others are being denied access to this treatment, particularly after NICE recommended over four years ago that eligible couples should receive up to three cycles of treatment, including frozen embryo transfers.'

Ms Brown continued 'I sincerely hope that before we have the next National Infertility Day in 2010 that the provision of NHS treatment in the UK has increased to the same levels provided in other European countries'

For more information visit the national charity's website at http://www.infertilitynetworkuk.com .
For support on involuntary childlessness visit http://www.moretolife.co.uk
Alternatively call the new freephone telephone number 0800 008 7464

Source:
Susan Seenan
Infertility Network UK and More To Life,
Charter House, 43 St. Leonards Road,
Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex. TN40 1JA
http://www.infertilitynetworkuk.com