Mams and Dads back calls for end to IVF postcode lottery
It's as hundreds are expected to march on Parliament later Mams in Tyne and Wear say it's time the Government intervene and make access to IVF fairer.
As hundreds of mams are set to march on Parliament to demand fairer access to IVF, we're hearing from parents here about how hard it is to get the treatment.
The number of attempts the NHS will provide varies massively across the country - something Michelle Kennedy from South Shields found out last year.
She had to move to Yorkshire for her partner's work, and soon realised that her number of chances to have a baby had gone from 3 to 1.
Michelle said:
"I'm supporting the whole lot of them - it's unfair being in the postcode lottery - how they can give three free goes to Newcastle, a different number in the North West, where we live was only one.
After three goes, two of them funded themselves, Michelle says they've finally had some good news:
"We're due in 11 weeks time - but it was a very emotional time and getting the funds together - our family and friends rallied and if it wasn't for them, we'd be struggling to date."
Dr Ian Davidson, medical director at NHS North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“We understand that it can be confusing and upsetting if there are different arrangements in different areas. That is why the 11 CCGs in the North East and North Cumbria have come together to develop a common policy that ensures each CCG will fund up to three cycles of IVF in line with NICE guidance.”