Should the NHS pay for IVF treatment?

I DON’T agree that IVF should be available on the NHS (Mail). The health service was set up to treat sick people, and infertility is not an illness. I have every sympathy for Kitty Dimbleby, who was born with Hirschsprung’s disease, and it is wonderful the NHS gave her lifesaving treatment as a child. I also know that being unable to conceive is devastating because I lived with my daughter’s heartbreak for more than ten years when she was going through many rounds of unsuccessful IVF. We also had a wonderful outcome and she has two lovely, lively little boys. I lost count of the thousands of pounds spent on IVF, funded by

my daughter and son-in-law, not the NHS, with me chipping in from my savings. I am sure Kitty’s family would have paid for her to have the treatment and strongly feel she was wrong to ask and accept fertility treatment on the NHS when it is so stretched that pensioners have to be blind in one eye before they can have a cataract operation.

SYLVIA PEARSE, Stonehouse, Glos.

IVF is a lifestyle choice, not a health problem. I am afraid that Kitty Dimbleby is typical of the ‘me, me, me’ attitude so prevalent in her age group. She should have paid for this treatment herself.

M. SOUTHON, Ferndown, Dorset.

I DON’T want to sound heartless, but although the NHS performed the procedure, it did not pay for Kitty’s IVF — the taxpayer did.

D. BLANDFORD, Nantwich, Cheshire.

IF YOU want breast enlargements, gender reassignment or fertility treatment, fund it yourself. Yes, this is harsh, but there is an evergrowing list of decisions having to be made by the NHS, due to lack of funds, that are even harsher. I personally know being childless through no fault of your own is a cause of great suffering, but I realise the NHS is in crisis. How many billions of pounds would be saved if it were used only for the purpose for which it was created?

YVETTE READ, Rotherham, S. Yorks.