Backing set for fertility policy

A revised fertility treatment policy for Shropshire couples is expected to win approval next week.It aims to provide, within criteria set out by Shropshire County and Telford & Wrekin Primary Care Trusts, a "safe, equitable and accessible" fertility service to all couples where the woman has been unable to conceive. It is estimated that infertility affects one in seven couples in the UK.

The policy document says that infertility can be defined as the failure to conceive after at least two years regular sexual intercourse.

But it says referral after one year of failure to conceive should be considered where the woman is 35 years or older.

The policy sets out the criteria for NHS funding for treatment and says it will only be provided for a person registered on the list of patients of a GP practice with which their primary care trusts hold a contract, or are "usually resident" within the geographic area covered by the trust.

NHS funding will not be provided for women who have ovulatory problems caused through being significantly overweight or for couples who have previously had assisted conception treatment.

Neither will it be available for couples who have existing children by their relationship or any previous relationship.

The policy states: "The priority for NHS funded treatment should be to deliver care to those individuals with the greatest need, which is interpreted as those couples who have not been able to complete their primary family unit."

It also says that couples accepted for treatment will be non-smokers as smoking can adversely affect the success rates of procedures.

Previous smokers should have stopped smoking for at least four weeks prior to referral and continue to refrain from smoking throughout the treatment process.

The revised policy is being recommended to the Telford & Wrekin PCT board next Tuesday.