All Party Parliamentary Group On Infertility - Support For Single Embryo Transfer More Likely If NHS Treatments Properly Funded, UK

Main Category: Fertility
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Pregnancy / Obstetrics;  Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 25 Jul 2007 - 15:00 PDT

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Couples are more likely to support proposed moves to single embryo transfer (SET) if NHS services are properly funded, says a report published by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infertility (APPGI).

Putting back only a single embryo can have a dramatic effect on the number of twins arising from IVF, reducing morbidity for both mother and child. It is therefore a desirable step to take. However, many couples perceive that replacing only one embryo significantly reduces their chances of a successful pregnancy. In an NHS that will scarcely provide one cycle of treatment for many of them, there is understandably unwillingness amongst couples to reduce the chances of that one cycle being successful.

The report says that support for SET is likely to be much greater if couples know that the NHS will give them further chances at treatment if their first attempt fails. This treatment would include subsequent replacement of any remaining frozen embryos not used in the initial transfer- a so-called 'full cycle'- as is recommended by national guidelines, but which many PCTs currently ignore.

Infertility is a common and distressing condition that commands significant public and media interest. The technological aspects of infertility treatment are changing rapidly, whilst sociological and ethical issues, as well as issues of equity and access to funding, continue to present many difficult problems.

In its second report, 'Infertility Treatment in the UK: Taking the Next Steps', the APPGI highlights the need for continued pressure for national implementation of the policy to provide one full cycle of IVF treatment to all eligible couples, as promised by Government, as well as the delivery of the second and third cycles recommended by NICE.

Speaking for the All Party Group, Dari Taylor, MP, Chair of the Group said, "This report is timely, given the current debate around reducing the number of embryos transferred in an IVF attempt from two to one for selected patients. We now urgently need the Department of Health to ensure that at least one full cycle of IVF treatment is routinely provided on the NHS to all eligible couples - as promised more than three years ago by the then Secretary of State- and that significant progress is made towards offering more than one cycle. Otherwise, achieving public or patient approval for single embryo transfer will be very difficult."

She added, "It is also important that IVF is considered as a significant part of a holistic programme for investigation and treatment of infertility. The APPGI therefore calls for maintenance of support for other components of such programmes, including timely access to investigations and treatments."

Andrew Lansley CBE MP, Vice-Chair of the APPGI, added, "PCTs were asked to provide one cycle of IVF treatment to all eligible couples by the Secretary of State for Health in 2004, with subsequent progression to three cycles of IVF treatment, as recommended by NICE. As debate focuses on a move towards reducing the number of fresh embryos transferred in a cycle from two to one for some patients, it is vital that the Government explains how its promise to make progress towards implementing the NICE guidance in full is be met."

Treasurer of the APPGI, Bob Russell MP, added his support for the report's findings, saying, "NICE's recommendation to provide three cycles of IVF on the NHS is still ignored by many PCTs. A further push is needed to ensure this recommendation is met and that those seeking infertility treatment have the same rights as other patients with respect to waiting times for consultations and treatments. This is not currently the case."

1.Copies of the report 'Infertility Treatment In The UK: Taking The Next Steps' can be obtained from Amanda Bailey, Office of Dari Taylor MP on 020 7219 4608 or baileyac@parliament.uk

2.The APPGI published its first report 'Infertility Treatment In The UK: Taking NICE Forward' in February 2004, at the same time as the NICE clinical guideline on assessment and treatment of people with fertility problems was released

3. The APPGI was established to raise awareness of infertility issues in Parliament and the need for full implementation of the NICE clinical guideline on assessment and treatment for people with fertility problems. The Officers of the APPGI are:

- Chair- Dari Taylor MPv - Vice Chair- Andrew Lansley CBE MP
- Vice Chair- Lord Patel
- Treasurer- Bob Russell MP

The APPGI's secretariat is provided by the National Infertility Awareness Campaign (NIAC), which employs Portcullis Public Affairs to provide political advice and support to NIAC to assist it in this regard. The services NIAC provides to the APPGI include drafting, maintaining membership list, arranging and recording meetings, providing advice and information, and meeting the cost of printing group reports.

4. Further information on the APPGI can be found here.

http://www.infertilitynetworkuk.com