Welsh authorities have begun a public consultation on eligibility for NHS funded IVF treatment in the devolved nation.
The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, responsible for determining access criteria for NHS fertility treatment in the country has proposed removing funding available for single women seeking treatment, as well as lowering the age of funding eligibility from 42 to 40. Funding would however be provided to couples requiring pre-implantation genetic testing of embryos in order to avoid transmission of genetic diseases to their children.
Lucy Mills, a single woman currently undergoing IVF treatment has expressed her disappointment at the plans to remove funding for single women pursuing treatment in Wales, telling ITV “My initial reaction was shock to be honest. I just felt like it was such a backwards step. I always felt like Wales was quite progressive when it came to offering treatment to single women.”
The Welsh government has commented that the recommendations by the committee are made taking into account the clinical effectiveness of treatment and are open to responses from the public.
References:
- https://www.progress.org.uk/welsh-authorities-consult-on-fertility-policy/
- https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2023-01-16/i-spent-my-life-savings-trying-to-have-a-baby-as-a-single-woman
