#MyFertilityMatters: Campaign to stop stepmums being denied NHS IVF raised in Parliament
It’s after we shared Sarah from Lincoln's story which prompted thousands to sign a petition for change
There’s a massive step forward today for our campaign to stop thousands of women missing out on IVF treatment on the NHS, simply because they’re already a stepmum.
We’ve been getting support from MPs after sharing Sarah from Lincoln’s story.
This lunchtime her MP, Dr Caroline Johnson, raised the issue in Parliament.
"Mr Speaker, IVF treatment is a lifeline for many people desperate to conceive like my constituent Sarah Barker who dreams of being a mother but sadly suffers from an infertility problem.
"Sarah is being refused IVF treatment on the grounds that her partner already has a daughter from a previous relationship.
"Her petition to stop denying women fertility treatment for this reason has already reached almost 13,000 signatures.
"Does my Right Honourable Friend agree with me that treatment for infertility should be available based on the medical needs of the women involved, and not affected by the partner that she has fallen in love with having a child from a previous relationship."
"We are aware of some variations in access, and we are looking at how we can address that"
Health Minister Helen Whately’s agreed to look into it.
"Could I thank my Honourable Friend for raising this question and the situation of her constituents.
"What I can say is that we expect Clinical Commissioning Groups to commission fertility services in line with NICE guidelines so that there is equitable access across England.
"We are aware of some variations in access, and we are looking at how we can address that.
"Very specifically CCGs should not be using criteria outside that NICE fertility guidance."
Lincolnshire CCG says the criteria is based on guidance by experts.
"The IVF policy agreed across the East Midland CCGs, and adopted by NHS Lincolnshire CCG, applies to any couple registered with a Lincolnshire GP and is available on our website.
"It sets out the eligibility criteria, which includes family structure, that applies irrespective of where patients have their treatment, and has been drawn up based on guidance issued by DHSC, Infertility Network UK and NICE Guidance CG156."