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Fertility
Information on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, and on the provision of fertility services in the NHS.
Review of the 1990 Act
On 21 January 2004, the Government announced plans to review the provisions in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, in the light of new procedures, changes in public perceptions and the need to ensure effective regulation. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 received Royal Assent on 13 November 2008.
Interim report of the Expert Group on Commissioning NHS Infertility Provision: letter from the Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo, to Chairs of Primary Care Trusts
An Expert Group on Commissioning NHS Infertility Provision was established by the Department at the beginning of 2008, with the aim of identifying the barriers to the implementation of the NICE fertility guideline and helping PCTs move towards the implementation of the guideline. The group is due to report in 2009, and has issued an interim report with recommendations, including that consideration be given to a clear clinical pathway and a national tariff for regulated fertility services.
Assisted reproduction: NHS fertility services
The Department of Health is funding Infertility Network UK, the leading infertility patient organisation, to work with PCTs to identify and disseminate good practice in the provision of fertility services. In order to inform the project, surveys have been carried out of primary care trusts' provision of IVF in England.
NICE clinical guideline on fertility
In July 2001 the Department of Health commissioned the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce a clinical guideline for National Health Service (NHS) fertility services. The NICE clinical guideline was published in February 2004. It recommended up to three cycles of IVF where appropriate. We welcome this guideline. The then Secretary of State made it clear that he expected primary care trusts (PCTs) to move over time to three cycles, as recommended.
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