EXCLUSIVE: Worcestershire same-sex couple denied free IVF treatment
Sophie and Ruth must pay thousands of pounds before being offered a free round on the NHS
A same-sex couple from Worcestershire say they've been denied free IVF treatment on the NHS.
In an exclusive interview, Sophie Grogan, 38, and Ruth Robinson, 34, from Droitwich, say they must "prove" they're medically infertile SIX times before being offered a free round.
The couple have forked out thousands of pounds for their fourt attempts at having a baby so far.
They were lucky enough to get pregnant in first attempt at IVF this year, but sadly Sophie miscarried and they lost the embryo - which they named Rocky.
"The overarching feeling I had, being told there's no heartbeat, is we've just lost out on ÂŁ7,500.
"To be thinking about money in that moment when you've just lost the chance of having a child it just shouldn't be like that".
The cost of starting a family
Sophie and Ruth have funded their treatment so far using a range of methods, including taking out loans and spreading the cost across credit cards.
Sophie added, "For us financially the ÂŁ7,500, we hadn't had it gifted and it wasn't for our savings.
"I'm currently still paying off the loan for the child I never had."
They've now started a Go Fund Me page to raise money for the fifth round of IVF treatment but they feel it's also a way to raise awareness.
"Highlighting the issues is just as important and fundraising", says Sophie.
"The discrimination is what we want to get out there and that it's affecting other couples and that our stories need to be told."
Ruth added, "Six failed attempts. The emotion with that, along with the financial implications is mega.
"By the time you've got to the NHS you're almost not going to be ready to do it and then you have to start again with new health professionals who don't really know what you;ve been through."
Made to feel different
Not only are Sophie and Ruth facing the biggest discrimination of having to pay for six rounds of IVF before being offered a free treatment, they say they've also experienced discriminatory comments along the way.
"We went for our first scan earlier this year and I was struggling to find a parking space whilst Sophie went ahead", says Ruth.
"Sophie was saying "I want to wait for my partner she's just on her way" and the nurse was refering to me as a "he".
"When you're stressed and emotional, things like that just don't help at all".
What's next?
Sophie and Ruth aren't giving up and are continuing their journey to starting their own family.
Along with their fundraising page, they are both organising fundraising events as well.
Sophie, a lover of musical theatre, is going to be putting on a show and Ruth, who's into her fitness, is going to hold a fitness endurance event.
Half of the money raised will go towards their IVF treatment and the other half will be donated to the baby loss support charity, Tommy's.
"We're certianly not giving up are we?", says Ruth
"Nope, perserverance is our middle name", Sophie adds.
In a statement, a spokesperson from Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG sad: "The CCG is unable to comment on individual cases.
"All funding request cases for assisted conception are evaluated for their eligibility using the same clinical criteria outlined within our assisted conception policy.
"This is to ensure that all decisions are fair and non-discriminatory."
If you'd like to make a donation to Sophie and Ruth and their journey to starting a family, visit their GoFundMe page to find out more.