Fertility patients turned away on technicality
(wz) The money is there – but infertile couples due for their first IVF treatment this May and June have been turned back because of how funding is allocated. The delay is creating a bottleneck in the waiting list for all IVF patients needing treatment in Canterbury, and causing extra distress for patients.
The Government funds up to two IVF cycles for patients meeting a strict criteria, who have been unable to conceive naturally. Auckland and Wellington’s District Health Boards bulk fund the treatment. However, the Canterbury DHB splits funding between first and second cycles of treatment.
Money for first cycles has run out, but there is money to spare for second cycles. About a quarter of first cycles result in pregnancies. Those who get pregnant on a first public funded cycle are not eligible for a second cycle. In Canterbury, leftover money from second cycles cannot be transferred to first cycles as it is in other centres. more…
From: »SCOOP Independent News (health)« (NZ)