IVF policy 'insult' alarms parents
A POLICY which restricts fertility treatment in Harrogate to women aged between 39-and-a-half and 40 has sparked outrage.
The highly controversial rule limits free IVF treatment to patients who are six months shy of their 40th birthday.
Nobody outside that six month bracket will qualify.
The drastic policy from the North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust has been met with bitter condemnation from couples struggling to conceive, who consider it effectively a "blanket ban".
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Phil Willis has also slammed the policy as "unfair and wrong" as it only applies to those under the banner of the North Yorkshire and York PCT.
Harrogate couples outside the bracket would be eligible for treatment if they lived in other parts of the UK including Leeds and Bradford.
He said: "Government pledges to end the postcode lottery in the NHS ring hollow in the ears of North Yorkshire residents seeking IVF or other infertility treatments.
"North Yorkshire and York PCT's rules effectively deny them treatment which is available to people living in Leeds and other parts of the country. It is unfair and wrong and the PCT should review its policy now."
One couple, who have been trying for a baby for two years and wish to remain anonymous, spoke to the Harrogate Advertiser of their anger.
"It's so insulting, it's comical almost," said the husband.
"It's clear they have to provide some kind of service but they have kept the window of opportunity so small that people can't use it.
"The whole of North Yorkshire and York PCT has effectively put a blanket ban on treatment."
Aged just 32, the woman now faces a seven year wait for free treatment – by which time her chances of conceiving will have dropped from 25 to just 10 per cent.
Instead, the pair could now face a bill of up to 12,000 for private treatment, paid for with cash they put aside to raise a child.
The couple believe the PCT are closing the window of eligibility to cut back on treatments and save money, which would fill their heavy financial deficits.
"We feel that they have turned their back on us purely for financial reasons. We do feel to a large extent very let down," he said.
"People in the Harrogate area are being penalised because other districts mismanaged their finances.
"What upsets me is that I have always had so many good things to say about our experiences here but this feels like a kick in the teeth for us.
"The one time we have asked for help and it's not available for us."
A statement issued by the North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust said the policy did not apply in some cases of exceptional clinical need.
A spokesman added that the guidelines will be under review in the autumn: "Our expectation is that we will make this policy less restrictive and will consult with clinical colleagues and stakeholders in order to agree a way forward."
The couple have set up a petition which they will hand over to the PCT. To sign the petition and view a blog of their experiences visit http://northyorkshireivf.blogspot.com.. .
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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