The UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has released new commissioning guidance offering NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) advice on delivering high-quality cost-effective fertility services.

Many CCGs have cut funding for IVF in recent years, and patient access to fertility services is inconsistent across the UK. The new guidance aims to standardise how much CCGs should spend per IVF cycle, to offer the best value to patients and to support provision of treatment in accordance with the recommendations of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE): three full IVF cycles to women under 40 and one full cycle to women aged 40-42 without children. 

The HFEA worked with the British Fertility Society, Association of Clinical Embryologists, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Royal College of Nursing to produce the guidance, which explains the positive impacts of commissioning fertility services, including the lower rates of reproductive tourism and reduced multiple pregnancies.

For further information
"HFEA issues first commissioning guidance for fertility treatment" BioNews 3rd June 2019