IVF treatment for younger women (From This is Hampshire)

IVF treatment for younger women

4:00pm Monday 20th July 2009 in

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YOUNGER women across Hampshire will be entitled to IVF treatment on the NHS by the end of the year.

Up until now only women aged from 36 to 39 were eligible for the treatment to help them have a baby.

But now that age range has been lowered so that only women aged 30 to 34 can have one cycle of free IVF treatment on the NHS.

Nationally IVF success rates are shown to be more successful among women under 35.

Health bosses have made the changes, which will be introduced on December 1 following a public consultation across the county involving nine primary care trusts across the South Central Strategic Health Authority area.

The new policy also means that couples with a diagnosed cause of infertility, and where the woman meets the age range criteria, can have immediate access to IVF.

However, couples who might be infertile, but no cause for their infertility can be found, will need to continue to try for a baby for three years before NHS treatment is considered.

One cycle of IVF will be available for patients who meet the eligibility criteria even if they previously funded up to two cycles themselves.

Eligible couples will also receive funding for sperm retrieval, up to three years’ embryo storage and donated eggs where appropriate.

Dr Sally Nelson, medical advisor to the NHS South Central Specialised Commission Group, said: “The comments and insights we have received from local couples have helped us to develop a single policy for NHS South Central.”

Success rates per treatment currently stand at 23 per cent according to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s latest figures, with a single IVF cycle costing anything from £4,000 to £8,000.