HFEA response to new NICE fertility guidelines

Peter Thompson, Chief Executive of the HFEA, said:

“We welcome NICE’s update to its fertility guidelines and the introduction of a brand-new endometriosis pathway. We are particularly pleased to see the recommendations that three full cycles of IVF should be offered to women under 40 if they have fertility problems and meet certain criteria, as it not only improves options for people looking to create much longed-for families but also represents value for money for the NHS, and that add-ons without sufficient evidence shouldn’t be offered to patients.

“However, we know that NHS-funded cycles continue to decrease year on year, with only 27% of cycles being funded in 2023 and, although birth rates from fertility treatment are rising, we continue to see inequalities when it comes to accessing treatment. Female same-sex couples and single patients are significantly less likely than opposite-sex couples to receive NHS funding, and Black patients continue to have the lowest number of NHS-funded cycles. These facts are only being compounded by the fact that many ICBs do not follow NICE guidelines when it comes to funding.

“While the HFEA does not regulate funding, those who commission fertility services should review their eligibility criteria and consider whether these have an adverse impact on access to treatment.”

Ends

More information:

• Read the NICE guidelines here
• Fertility treatment 2023: trends and figures
• HFEA dashboard
• Read our statement on the previous draft version of these guidelines here.