Clinics open again for families

FERTILITY clinics in the UK opened again on May 11 to offer treatment to families wanting to have children.

Clinics - both NHS and private - first needed to show that they could provide safe and effective treatment.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock gave the green light for the facilities to reopen at one of the Government’s briefings on coronavirus, saying he knew “how time sensitive and important” this was for families affected.

He said at the time: “When I say thank you to all those staying at home, of course I’m saying thank you on behalf of the lives you are saving - but also on behalf of the lives the NHS can now create.

Sally Cheshire, chairwoman of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology

Authority, said the closure of clinics due to Covid-19 had been “extremely distressing” for patients and Mr Hancock’s announcement would be “good news” for those trying for a much longed-for family.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is one of several techniques available to help people with fertility problems have a baby. During IVF, an egg is removed from the woman’s ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory.

The fertilised egg, called an embryo, is then returned to the woman’s womb to grow and develop. IVF is available on the NHS in England and Wales, with local clinical commissioning groups deciding who is eligible.

The procedure is recommended for women aged under 43 who have had trouble conceiving.