IVF waiting list grows to three years
(sz) COUPLES are being forced to wait up to three years for fertility treatment in the Lothians. New figures show the wait for IVF treatment has continued to lengthen since 2005, when an average wait of 24 months was branded “unacceptable” by health chiefs.
At that time, a change in guidelines, which meant many more couples were eligible for treatment, combined with a national shortage of sperm and egg donations, was blamed for the delays.
A recent funding boost means more people than ever are being given IVF treatment at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary - but the number of couples on the waiting list has also increased, to 460.
Campaigners have demanded measures to end the “postcode lottery” that means Lothians patients are waiting so long. Waiting times in Glasgow were seven months in 2005.
Sheena Young, head of business development for Infertility Network UK, said: “One in six couples seek specialist treatment for fertility problems and the impact of infertility can be devastating.
“However, excellent results can be achieved in treating infertility if patients are rapidly investigated and referred for the appropriate treatment. Patients must be given the chance to access this treatment without having to wait, in some cases up to three years.” more…
From: »The Scotsman«