British Fertility Society Survey Of IVF Experts

Main Category: Fertility
Article Date: 25 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Infertility Network UK (I N UK) agree that there should be more clinical trials to test the efficacy of new IVF techniques There are clearly questions that need answering about a number of untested and expensive techniques offered to patients in IVF clinics.

Clare Brown, Chief Executive of I N UK said " It is confusing for patients who really are stuck in the middle of this argument, with some clinicians and clinics offering treatments like Reproductive Immune Therapy and Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) and others coming down firmly against the procedures. There needs to be more clinical trials to establish whether or not these interventions are of benefit."

The survey also indicated that 37.7% of the clinicians surveyed said that access to IVF should be conditional on criteria based on lifestyle choices such as denying access to smokers. Speaking on this Ms Brown said " Eligibility criteria varies across the UK as does access to treatment, creating this treatment by postcode which is totally unacceptable. Infertility Network UK always encourages those who contact us to try and adopt a healthy lifestyle when trying to conceive, however, we believe lifestyle issues should be a matter for discussion between the patient and clinician. Lifestyle criteria should not be used as an out and out barrier to treatment."

She went on to say "Very importantly, the majority of health professionals who responded believe that funded IVF should be offered as part of national healthcare systems. It is almost pointless to discuss criteria when in reality the vast majority of couples in England are being denied access to treatment at all. Infertility Network UK, as part of the National Infertility Awareness Campaign have campaigned for many years for a fair and equitable service for fertility patients and will continue to do so till we see an end to the postcode lottery which exists today."

For more information visit the national charity's website at www.infertilitynetworkuk.com.
For support on involuntary childlessness visit www.moretolife.co.uk.