Chamber and committees

This information is not collected centrally in Scotland.

The government has recently advised NHS boards of its commitment to infertility services, and that all NHS boards across Scotland should ensure that waiting times for IVF are at a maximum of 12 months by March 2015. Five NHS boards already meet this target.

NHS Lothian has made the most progress since being highlighted as a poor performer in relation to infertility services in the Members' Business Debate on motion S3M-03741 (Official Report, c. 18048).

Waiting times for IVF treatment in NHS Lothian were three years in May 2009 and, due to ongoing investment by the board and pathway change, waiting times are now at one year three months.

NHS Grampian has confirmed that a patient sought prior approval for IVF treatment from another country in the European Economic Area.

This information is not held centrally in Scotland.

All human fertilisation and embryology authority licensed clinics have to offer counselling to patients about the implications of suggested treatments for reproductive conditions. More information is available at http://www.hfea.gov.uk/36.html.

Eligible patients in Scotland can receive up to two or three cycles of IVF treatment. Patients in Wales receive up to two cycles of IVF and patients in Northern Ireland have access to one cycle of treatment.

In England, the final decision on whether to provide patients with one, two, three or any cycles of IVF on the NHS is made locally by individual Primary Care Trusts.

Infertility Network Scotland has produced two reports for the Scottish Government since 2009.