January 23, 2006
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence publish their guidelines on fertility. They are expected to recommend that all women under 40 should be offered 3 cycles of IVF free on the NHS. If these guidelines are adopted, it will in effect end the 'postcode lottery' on IVF provision.
A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infertility earlier this week claimed that this would cost some £;36.8million. So is childlessness really a medical condition that should be treated free on the NHS? Or should vital NHS funds be directed towards truly life-threatening diseases such as cancer?
Jenni asks Professor Alison Murdoch, Chair of the British Fertility Society and Director of the Newcastle Fertility Centre, and Melanie Mcdonagh who writes for the Evening Standard, whether the desire for a child is a right or a lifestyle choice.
