Specialist fertility treatments, or IVF services, are known by several names within the NHS. You may also see the terms ‘assisted conception services’ or ‘infertility treatments’ used to describe these services.
The Proposal
To stop routinely commissioning any specialist fertility services other than for two specified exceptions.
Exceptions to the proposal
Under the proposal, specialist fertility services will no longer be commissioned except for the following two exceptions listed below:
- fertility preservation will be offered to patients undergoing cancer treatment, or who have a disease or a condition requiring medical or surgical treatment, that has a significant likelihood of making them infertile; and
- sperm washing will be provided to men who have a chronic viral infection, primarily HIV, and whose female partner does not, where intrauterine insemination is being considered. This is a risk reduction measure to limit the transmission of a serious, pre-existing viral condition such as HIV to the woman and therefore, potentially, her unborn baby.
Individual Funding Request process
Should this proposal be accepted it is important to note that the Individual Funding Request (IFR) process will remain unaffected.
Any application needs to be made on behalf of the patient by a clinician and the key point to remember is the need to demonstrate the exceptionality of the case i.e. why the patient should receive treatment which is outside the CCG’s current funding arrangements.
Please note
The proposed new policy would still allow for patients to be referred from their GP to their local hospital for investigation into their infertility. However, once a patient had completed these investigations, the proposed policy would no longer allow for patients requiring IVF treatments to be then referred from the local hospital to the specialist fertility services for treatments funded by the NHS, apart from the exceptions set out above.
It is proposed that patients who have already been referred from secondary care (hospital services) to tertiary care (specialist fertility services) under the existing policy would complete their treatment. If the Governing Body agrees to the proposed new policy, it would apply to new referrals from secondary care to tertiary care made from the date of the Governing Body decision.
How to tell us your views
You can give your views in a number of ways:
- Fill in the questionnaire.
- Fill in the paper copy of the questionnaire found on page 13 of this consultation document and send it FREEPOST to Freepost Plus RSCR-GSGK-XSHK, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG, Lockton House, Clarendon Road, Cambridge CB2 8FH. You do not need a stamp.
- Telephone the Communications and Engagement Team on 01223 725304.
Or you can attend one of our future public meetings and tell us what you think:
- Monday 10 July 2017 12.30pm-1.30pm 6pm-7pm
The Fleet, Fleet Way, Peterborough PE2 8DL - Tuesday 11 July 2017 6pm-7pm
The Boat House Business Centre, 1 Harbour
Square, Wisbech PE13 3BH - Thursday 13 July 2017 6pm-7pm
Huntingdon Library, Princes Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3PA - Tuesday 18 July 2017 6pm-7pm
Ely Cathedral Conference Centre, Palace
Green, Ely, CB7 4EW - Thursday 20 July 2017 12.30pm-1.30pm
Central Library, Lion Yard, 7 Lion Yard,
Cambridge CB2 3QD - Thursday 20 July 2017 6pm-7pm
The Meadows Community Centre,
1 St Catharine’s Rd, Cambridge CB4 3XJ
We will also attend other meetings organised by groups who are interested in these proposed changes. If you would like us to attend your meeting please contact us on the number below. Meetings may be subject to change, so please do check back here or contact the Communications and Engagement Team:
This consultation runs from 13 March 2017, and has been extended until 5pm on 31 July 2017 to take account of the general election.
