AQW 29176/22-27
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 24/06/2025
Answered On Date: 07/07/2025
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health (i) what fertility treatments are currently publicly-funded in each Health and Social Care Trust; and (ii) how access and provision compare with those available in other UK regions.
Answer:
My Department commissions fertility services from the Regional Fertility Centre in Belfast Trust for the population of Northern Ireland. Fertility services within local Health and Social Care Trusts are provided as part of the gynaecology service for women rather than commissioned separately and are dependent on skilled staff availability and capacity, in particular, consultants with a specialist interest in fertility services. Patients accessing local fertility services are assessed on a case by case basis, the next stage in the treatment pathway is dependent on multiple factors such as whether or not there is a need for surgical intervention/investigations, onward referral to the Regional Fertility Centre in Belfast HSC Trust, or if the patient is deemed suitable to commence ovulation induction treatment (if offered in the local Trust). I outline below fertility treatments which are available in each Trust: BHSCT | Fertility services to local population Baseline investigations are carried out Semen analysis Regional Fertility Centre (tertiary referrals) providing treatments including 1 full IVF cycle; ICSI; Donor IUI; Fertility preservation (oncology and gender reassignment) | NHSCT | No dedicated fertility service / do not offer fertility treatments Baseline investigations are carried out | SET | Consultant clinic Baseline investigations are carried out Treatments include ovulation induction | SHSCT | Consultant triage / Nurse led fertility clinic Baseline investigations are carried out Treatments include ovulation induction | WHSCT | Fertility/ reproductive outpatient clinic provision (part time Consultant / nurse) Baseline investigations are carried out Treatments include Ovulation induction |
(ii) How access and provision compare with those available in other UK regions As can be seen in the detail above, there is variation in the provision of fertility treatment in HSC Trusts. My Department is actively overseeing gynaecology service improvement and pathway development at both a local and regional level as outlined in the recommendations arising from the recent Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) Report for Gynaecology. As part of this remit my Department are actively working with Trusts and General Practice to consider the current fertility services pathways from general practice through to secondary and tertiary care. My Department will seek to ensure that pathways to the Regional Fertility Centre are timely and appropriate, given the time-sensitive nature of this service and that there is equity of access for women from across the region. I understand that there are varying levels of provision across other regions the UK which have endorsed the NICE CG156 or equivalent guidelines which are primarily due to issues of capacity and affordability. My Department is working closely with Belfast Trust to explore the necessary additional capacity and funding within the Regional Fertility Centre to deliver on the commitment to providing up to three IVF cycles (in line with NICE CG156) in the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement in 2020. This additional capacity is subject to business case approval and the prioritisation of funding within the overall health and social care budget. In Wales up to two full cycles of publicly funded treatment for women who meet the eligibility criteria is offered. Scotland offers up to three full cycles for eligible women. Service provision within England varies greatly, in some areas up to three cycles for eligible couples is offered whilst most other areas offer only 1 publicly funded cycle. In some areas there are no publicly funded cycles offered.
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