Question reference: S1W-00746
- Asked by: Colin Campbell, MSP for West of Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 29 July 1999
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Current status: Answered by Susan Deacon on 17 August 1999
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria exist for the provision of infertility treatment in Scotland, whether these criteria are the same throughout Scotland and, if they are not, what action it intends to take to ensure that the highest standards and levels of availability in the provision of this treatment apply throughout Scotland.
Answer
Infertility services are divided into 3 levels. Level 1 services are provided by a General Practitioner while Level 2 services, involving more advanced investigation and treatment, are normally provided by a gynaecologist with a specialist interest in infertility within a District General Hospital. Level 3 infertility services are complex and involve high-technology procedures which include, for example, In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Intra-Cytoplasmic Semen Insemination (ICSI). These services are provided at 4 centres in Scotland.Level 1 and 2 infertility services are provided by all Health Boards. Individual Health Boards determine the provision of Level 3 services on the basis of clinical need for patients who meet locally determined criteria. The criteria varies from Health Board to Health Board but includes an upper age limit on the age of the woman, minimum duration of unexplained infertility and restrictions relating to existing children.An Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland has undertaken a review of the clinical management of infertility services with a particular focus on establishing a model specification for infertility care in Scotland. The Expert Group has reported to the Chief Medical Officer in Scotland and to the Clinical Resources and Audit Group. The Report is currently being considered.