Under current rules, heterosexual couples can access NHS-funded fertility treatments after proving they have been trying to conceive naturally for a period of time. However, single women and same-sex female couples are required to pay privately for artificial insemination, which can cost thousands of pounds, to prove their fertility status before they are eligible for NHS-funded fertility treatments. The change to the rules, part of the women’s health strategy published on Wednesday, will mean same-sex couples and single women will no longer need to privately fund IVF rounds before they are eligible for NHS fertility treatments. A 2021 survey by BPAS found that 76% of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) required same-sex couples to self-fund at least three IVF cycles, which can cost up to £1,600 per cycle. NHS treatment for female same-sex couples will now start with six cycles of artificial insemination before moving on to IVF. There will also be an effort to end the ‘postcode lottery’ for access to IVF treatment for same-sex and heterosexual couples: currently some NHS areas offer one cycle and others three, and some basic eligibility for treatment based on criteria such as whether a person has a child from a previous relationship. Marta Jansa Perez, director of embryology at BPAS Fertility, said she was “absolutely delighted” with the government’s decision to remove additional barriers facing female same-sex couples. “Fertility services are vital to support the development of diverse family structures. However, our research found that female same-sex couples and single women are disproportionately affected by policies that require them to self-fund expensive and less effective artificial insemination, in some cases for at least two years, before becoming eligible for funding. IVF. These restrictions amount to a tax on LGBT+ families and the impact can be truly devastating.” She added: “We will scrutinize the policies when they are published and will continue to campaign for fair and equal access for all fertility patients, including single women.” Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST Stonewall also welcomed the announcement. The charity’s chief executive, Nancy Kelley, said: “We are delighted that the UK Government has heeded our call for fair and equal access to IVF treatment. “For years, lesbian, bisexual and trans people were forced to pay up to £25,000 in private healthcare before they could access IVF on the NHS or face their dream of becoming parents. “This is a huge step towards a world where LGBTQ+ people have the same opportunity as everyone else to create a loving, thriving family of their own.” On Wednesday, the Department of Health and Social Care published its first women’s health strategy to tackle the gender health gap. The strategy also aims to improve specialist endometriosis services and increase and expand breast cancer screening services.
