AQW 28307/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 19/01/2022
Answered On Date: 08/02/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 25768/17-22, to detail the steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for IVF, in particular for older women.

Answer:

I announced on 1 November that the Regional Fertility Centre had implemented a waiting list initiative for IVF services. This initiative involves weekend and evening working to increase capacity for IVF cycles and frozen embryo transfers. As a result, by March 2022, waiting times will be comparable or improved in relation to the position prior to COVID-19.

In relation to treatment times for older women, the position is that patients are treated strictly in chronological order and older women cannot therefore be given priority or preferential treatment as this would disadvantage younger women.