(2) what percentage of primary care trusts which provide funding for at least one full cycle of in vitro fertilisation do so for people within the recommended age range for treatment of between 23 and 39 years of age;
(3) which primary care trusts provide funding for one full cycle of in vitro fertilisation for women aged 39 years and six months only;
(4) what percentage of primary care trusts provide funding for people to receive (a) more than one full cycle of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), (b) one full cycle of IVF and (c) less than one full cycle of IVF; and if he will make a statement.
The provision of fertility treatment by primary care trusts (PCTs) is determined at local level. The Government support the clinical guidelines on the assessment and treatment for people with fertility problems produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), and has made it clear that PCTs are expected to move towards full implementation of the guideline. Many have already made firm progress (the number of PCTs offering three cycles of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment has increased by 22 percentage points between 2007 and 2008) and others continue to develop their policies.
Responses to a survey carried out in early 2009 and published on the Department's website:
www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Fertility/index.htm
in June 2009 showed that in 2008 50 per cent. of PCTs provided either two or three full cycles of IVF, with 25 per cent. providing one full cycle and 22 per cent. providing one fresh cycle. A copy has already been placed in the Library. The North Staffordshire PCT reported offering treatment in exceptional cases only. The North Yorkshire and York PCT is the only PCT providing funding for one cycle of IVF for women age 39 years and six months only. We understand that this was instituted as a temporary measure from 2007 pending a review of provision across the Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority.
88 per cent. of PCTs offer IVF for eligible couples across the full NICE recommended range for treatment, i.e. where the woman is aged 23-39.