The latest In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Waiting Times figures indicate that since July 2017, not a single IVF patient in Ayrshire who began treatment under the NHS has had to wait longer than six months after referral.
The key target is for 90% to be seen within 12 months.
Of the 68 Ayrshire IVF patients who started NHS treatment in 2018, 14 began receiving treatment within 3 months of their referral.
Delivering on its manifesto commitments, the SNP Government has ensured that access to IVF treatment under the NHS is the most inclusive and accessible in the UK.
In 2016, the SNP Government widened eligibility criteria for IVF treatment to include families where one partner has children from a previous relationship.
Furthermore, since April 2017, the SNP Government has increased funding from two to three cycles of IVF for women aged under 40. In line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, eligible women aged 40-42 are also offered a free round of IVF under the Scottish NHS.
This is a far cry from the postcode lottery faced by women in England, where it depends on what area they live in whether they even receive any NHS funded IVF treatment at all.
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“The SNP Government recognises the importance of the right to family life and continues to lead the way in the provision of NHS IVF treatment, so more people have the opportunity to conceive.
“Over the past five years, the SNP Government has invested £28 million to reduce IVF waiting times and improve the outcomes for patients and it appears to be effective.
“Scotland has by far the shortest waiting times in the UK and many women and couples across Ayrshire will be pleased that over the last 18 months, all eligible patients referred have started treatment within six months of referral.”
The statistics, released by ISD Scotland, can be accessed here.
ENDS
