Experts say 'end funding lottery' for IVF treatment

NHS fertility experts called for an end to “unfair” funding arrangements for IVF treatment during a panel discussion at the Centre for Life in Newcastle.

- SAM VOLPE

The discussion, marking 25 years of the centre - which hosts the Newcastle Fertility Service - saw senior medics highlight that there is still a postcode “lottery” and that access to IVF still differs depending on where you live.

Speakers included Professor Alison Murdoch, who founded the fertility centre, along with current president of the British Fertility Society and Newcastle consultant Mr Kevin McEleny.

The panel also included nurse consultant Eilis Moody, embryologist Dr Louise Hyslop, and IVF patient Jacqueline Blackett, who herself is a geneticist and has told of her fertility story.

Each of them agreed that fair funding and ensuring that the NHS more broadly receives the funding it needs is vital.

Asked for the one wish they had for the future of fertility care in the UK, they each felt this was exceptionally important.