#MyFertilityMatters: Vast majority of NHS groups refusing stepmums IVF support

A report shows 90% of CCGs don't offer help

Author: Aaron RenfreePublished 4th Nov 2021

Support for a Lincoln woman who's being refused IVF treatment on the NHS is growing as we reveal it's a similar picture across the country.

A report from Fertility Network UK shows 90% of the hospital groups that make decisions don't support stepmums.

Talks are now taking place between MPs and the CCG in Lincolnshire after we helped highlight Sarah's story.

Now women across the UK are coming together to call for action.

Samantha Holland was turned away and said she feels totally let down.

"It’s discrimination at it’s heart and there are thousands upon thousands of women in the country in exactly the same position as me.

"They love another human and they have a child, which means they're denied."

"It’s just morally not in keeping with the NHS."

She thinks if a group makes the first step others will follow.

"In their reply they basically stated that until enough CCG’s make this change, they’re not looking to do anything.

"It’s almost like they said, because there are so many of us already doing it and this is the template, it almost gives them carte blanche.

"They still feel somewhat that they’re in the right."

CCGs say their decisions are guided by the health body NICE.

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