BFS Guidelines On Elective Single Embryo Transfer

Main Category: Fertility
Article Date: 03 Sep 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Infertility Network UK (I N UK) wholeheartedly supports the move to elective Single Embryo Transfer (eSET) for those women most at risk of having twins and as such welcomes the guidelines today issued by the British Fertility Society (BFS) and the Association of Clinical Embryologists (ACE).

I N UK also want to see clinics work towards a standard grading of embryos to allow all clinics to ensure consistency on selection of the best quality embryos. We also need to have education for both those working in the clinics and for patients on the dangers of multiple births and the benefits of SET. This, together with full NHS funding, will allow patients to accept SET without feeling their chances of success are being compromised. It is also important to note that SET is only recommended for those most at risk of a multiple birth and NOT at all those needing IVF.

Clare Brown, Chief Executive of Infertility Network UK said "Whilst we support the move to eSET, it must go hand in hand with full implementation of the NICE Clinical Guideline on Fertility to provide up to three full cycles of treatment. NICE clearly states that a cycle of treatment should include any frozen embryo transfers (FET) and this has been reiterated by recent letters from the Health Minister to the PCTs. It is totally unacceptable; if not unethical that of the PCTs who are funding one cycle, approximately 42% do not include FET and 25% of the PCTs who currently offer two cycles do not fund any FET. In addition, what is not only unacceptable but also totally defies good clinical practice is the decision by some PCTs to only fund treatment for women over 35 or, in the case of York & N. Yorkshire PCT, only to women aged between 39 ½ and 40!"

Ms Brown continued "I N UK is pleased to be leading a project, funded by the Department of Health, aimed at identifying and disseminating good practice in commissioning IVF and stopping bad practice such as that of not funding FET, as well as standardising the currently hugely varying access criteria. However, given the affect of age on a female's fertility, time is of the essence for couples affected. We would urge all PCTs and Health Boards across the UK to offer a fully funded NHS service as quickly as possible before time runs out for many of these couples."

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.

Infertility Network UK