AQW 33615/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 15/10/2025
Answered On Date: 30/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) what fertility preservation options, including egg freezing, are available under health and social care for women under 30 who have undergone unilateral oophorectomy due to benign tumours; and (ii) whether there are plans to expand eligibility for fertility support in such cases.

Answer:

Currently there are no publicly funded fertility preservation options for patients who have undergone unilateral oophorectomy due to benign tumours. There are currently no plans to expand eligibility for fertility support in such cases.

Fertility preservation is only available to those undergoing certain medical treatments that may impact on their fertility, such as those with cancer and transgender individuals.

On 1 July 2006, my Department established links with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) whereby all guidance published by the Institute from that date is locally reviewed for applicability to Northern Ireland and, where appropriate, is endorsed for implementation in Health and Social Care. This link has ensured that Northern Ireland has access to up-to-date, independent professional, evidence-based best practice guidance on the value of health care interventions.

NICE have recently been consulting on updating their current clinical guideline ‘Fertility problems: assessment and treatment’, the consultation ended on 21 October 2025. It is anticipated that the final guideline will be released on 19 March 2026.