About 500 couples have been sent for free IVF treatment

Around 500 couples have been referred to private clinics for statefunded IVF treatment since the scheme started last September, an action plan for women’s health said yesterday.

It said about 400 to 500 women are being referred by their GP every month to HSE fertility hubs and after assessment some are going forward for IVF treatment to private clinics, which is paid for by the State.

The second phase of the Women’s Health Action Plan launched yesterday and it promises to set up public fertility clinics.

The action plan also promises to extend free contraception to women aged 35, up from the current age of 31.

The plan says there will be a focus on women at midlife and older “living well and living longer”.

Capacity will be increased at the supra-regional endometriosis centres across the country and at the five new endometriosis hubs.

There also will be an expansion of screening services and abortion services.

Supports for mental health will be developed in line with the HSE’s National Mental Health Promotion Plan.

There will be continued implementation of period poverty measures.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, who launched the plan at the Coombe maternity hospital, said that in a short space of time “our investment in women’s health has dramatically altered the landscape of women’s health services”.

“Every week, I meet with people whose healthcare experience has been transformed by initiatives such as the free contraception scheme, the network of services for fertility, menopause, endometriosis and our see-and-treat gynaecology clinics around the country,” he said.

“We’re also continuing the evolution with a number of new initiatives, including the development of the first public Assisted Human Reproduction treatment centre, the development of a Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan and a focus on initiatives aimed at helping women in midlife and older to live better and longer.”

Mental health minister Mary Butler said work is under way to ensure that a Women’s Mental Health Charter is embedded in order to ensure women experience an inclusive, supportive and effective mental health service.

Junior health minister Colm Burke said he is determined to prioritise initiatives that improve the health of the whole population.