#MyFertilityMatters: IVF policy in Lincolnshire under review
It's thought this will take around six months
Our campaign calling for stepmums to be allowed IVF treatment on the NHS is moving forward after health bosses in Lincolnshire confirmed they're reviewing current policies.
We've been working with Sarah Curtiss, from Lincoln, she told us she was denied free treatment because her partner already has a daughter from a previous relationship.
A spokesperson for NHS Lincolnshire ICB says a review is now underway and will take around six months - they'll also look at appeals for those in similar positions to Sarah.
Sarah told us: This means so much, not just for me but also potentially to hundreds of families across the East Midlands."
I really hope that it makes a difference
"I genuinely couldn't be prouder of all the hard work that's gone into getting us to this point and I really do hope it makes a difference."
"My message to everyone who helped in this campaign simply is thank you, knowing that I've not been alone in feeling that this is wrong means so much and the support I've received has been unbelievable."
"The first person I told was my husband, it was definitely emotional."
"It was a moment that I don't think I'll forget for a very long time because we both sat and cried."
"It was just the pride in his face that really got me because he could see that I'd made a difference and we'd made a difference together."
Appeals will be considered in some cases
A spokesperson for NHS Lincolnshire ICB which runs health services in the county said:
"We are part of a midlands-wide IVF policy which has not changed as yet but is currently being reviewed, a process we expect to take six months.
This review of fertility policies will encompass all five East Midlands ICBs and the work will include the following:
· Undertake the review informed by recognised Public Health and Population Health Management (PHM) approaches and methodologies
· Address options for treatment regimes, taking account of all extant arrangements and NICE guidelines
· Consider any inequalities and the risks and benefits of mitigation
· Develop an option appraisal, to deliver the best population health outcomes
· Produce an evidence base of analysis in support of any future consultation.
· Provide a set of recommendations for the East Midlands ICBs to consider.
"We would consider by exception any appeal made on the grounds of a partner having a child from a previous relationship, but this is not the same as a policy change yet."
Thousands of people backed our My Fertility Matters campaign calling for a change in the rules, and now it seems it’s having a huge impact.