Family doctors ‘lacking in knowledge about IVF care’

A survey of more than 450 patients by the National Infertility Awareness Campaign found nearly half believed GPs lacked the necessary knowledge of infertility and treatment options to provide an effective service.

From next April, local groups of GPs in new clinical commissioning groups will take on responsibility for spending on fertility care including IVF.

The campaign group said it was “disappointed” by the decision after it lobbied for it to be organised at a national level.

Guidance by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) says couples should be entitled to three rounds of IVF paid for by the NHS although this is available in barely a quarter of areas – none in Yorkshire - amid complaints of a continuing postcode lottery in access which it is feared could be exacerbated further when GPs take over from primary care trusts.

A further update on the guidelines is expected this autumn.

The campaign group said there were some encouraging signs more couples might gain access to care after three of the new groups indicated they were prepared to increase or reinstate funding for IVF treatment.

Clare Lewis-Jones, chairman of the National Infertility Awareness Campaign, said: “This is welcome news and demonstrates the potential for improvement within the new health system.

“Drawing on these recent positive examples, we aim to encourage others to make similar steps forward towards full implementation of the Nice guideline.”

But she added: “At the moment, our main concern stems from the level of preparation within each clinical commissioning group as our survey results have led us to have some concerns about the readiness of these groups to take on this role.

“All GPs needed to be better informed about infertility as they are responsible for referrals and we want to help them do this.

“Devolved decision-making could potentially create an even more fragmented system than before. Infertility treatment has for too long been seen as a low priority, failing the one in six couples who live with the devastating impact this illness has on their lives.”

She said those suffering from infertility had a right to expect the chance to have a baby.

“The stress of IVF is unavoidable,” she added. “What is avoidable, however, is the exacerbation of these effects through reductions to services and long waiting times.

“The psychological effects of infertility can be extremely damaging to couples’ general welfare.

“They often seek other NHS services in the process such as counselling services or treatment for depression so it is in the best interests of the patients and commissioners to reduce the demand for other NHS services, thereby saving the health service a considerable sum of money.”