Health rationing fears over area’s plans to cut IVF
WOMEN could be denied IVF on the NHS in Trafford to save money.
It would be the first place in Greater Manchester to scrap free fertility treatment.
Local politicians expressed concern about health rationing and warned that axing the treatment would have a devastating impact on people desperate to become parents.
People seeking IVF treatment in the region already face a postcode lottery with Bury, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside Clinical Commissioning Groups all funding three cycles of IVF, while Salford, Stockport and Wigan fund two cycles. Bolton, Manchester and Trafford fund one cycle of treatment to people who meet set criteria.
It is one of four cost-cutting proposals which will go before Trafford CCG – which needs to save £10m – at a meeting later this month.
Cameron Ward, the CCG’s interim accountable officer, told our sister paper the M.E.N.: “We are trying to make best use of the funds we have to improve the health of all 235,000 people across Trafford, so we can stop them being ill, help them with self-care, keep them out of hospital and expand primary care.
“However, we are still going to have financial pressures, so we are looking at a whole series of ideas which are also happening in other parts of the country – so we’re not alone in this.
“With IVF, we currently fund one cycle. The range across Greater Manchester is between one and three, so we would be the first to not provide it at all. But our financial challenges are more severe than other CCGs in Greater Manchester.”
One cycle of IVF is said to be successful in 20 to 30 per cent of cases. Latest figures obtained by pressure group Fertility Fairness in October last year suggest 100 women a year are offered the treatment.
Axing IVF is one of four proposals. Others are: Cutting back prescriptions for over-the-counter drugs; stopping paying for glutenfree food; delaying surgery for smokers or obese people until after they have lost weight or stopped smoking in order to make the procedure more successful.
Trafford CCG has been discussing these options since October and, while it hasn’t carried out an official public consultation, says it has been talking to groups across the community about the proposals.
Mr Ward added: “You could argue it is a step too far and we do realise the knock-on consequences on the well-being for couples who would like to have a child, and that’s me speaking personally as a parent who did not go through IVF.
“So we do realise this is an emotive issue and are trying to have a sensible debate and discussion with the people of Trafford.”
Fertility Fairness say the number of CCGs in England offering the recommended three IVF cycles to eligible women under 40 has halved in the last five years. Just 12pc now follow national guidance, down from 24pc in 2013.
Their research suggests the number of CCGs which have removed NHS IVF has almost doubled in the last year.
The network’s chief executive Aileen Feeney, said: “I wholly disapprove of the proposed cuts.
“The CCG needs to consider the mental well-being of women not able to access IVF treatment, of which 90 per cent suffer depression and anxiety. It’s a sad fact that depending on where you live determines your level of health care – a postcode lottery.”
At a meeting of Trafford council’s health scrutiny committee Dr Mark Jarvis, the CCG’s interim medical officer, said despite it being in financial dire straits he would not be uncomfortable if the treatment was not offered.
He said: “The group is in dire straits but stripping Trafford of IVF treatment would be a step too far.
“However, in order to deliver the best possible healthcare services for the area, we must make some difficult decisions. It’s absolutely imperative that the people of Trafford are heavily involved in this decisionmaking process. We are conducting targeted conversations across the borough before any decisions are made.”
Stretford and Urmston MP Kate Green said a lack of access to IVF treatment can cause ‘heartbreak’ for many families.
She said: “If the CCG is proposing to stop IVF altogether it’s just not justifiable.”
Trafford CCG’s governing body will make a decision on the proposed cuts on Tuesday, March 27.
If members approve the changes, the decision would also be reviewed at a Greater Manchester level before services are axed.