COUPLES struggling with infertility in Barnsley could have their access to free IVF treatment slashed in half as health bosses weigh up a major cost-saving measure amid growing pressure on local services.

The South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has launched a formal review into the number of NHS-funded IVF cycles currently offered to eligible couples, with a proposal on the table to reduce the provision from two cycles to just one.

A total of 145 couples from Barnsley accessed treatment over a four-year period, according to NHS statistics.

The move comes as the NHS across England faces soaring demand and is under mounting pressure to prioritise core services such as GP access, elective surgery and urgent and emergency care.

The ICB spent more than £866,000 on treatments in 2021/22, excluding abandoned cycles.

However, the ICB is now reconsidering that decision, with one cycle emerging as the likely preferred option under a new cost-conscious approach.

A five-week public engagement period is due to begin next week, with the ICB aiming to conclude the review by the end of August and present a final recommendation to its board in September.

A report, authored by the ICB’s Lisa Kell, said: The NHS has been asked to prioritise access to care, such as GP appointments in primary care, elective treatment in hospitals and to improve waiting times for urgent and emergency care, such as the length of time waiting in an accident and emergency department.

“The NHS in South Yorkshire has a duty to live within our financial allocation and to break even each year.

“In addition, we have a duty to secure the best investment for the funds that we have been allocated to provide high quality care for local people.

“Within this context, we are now reviewing some of our services and policies, because we need to focus our resources on the services that matter to our communities the most.

“We have explored all areas of our commissioning in relation to our organisational priorities, the priorities of our citizens, cost effectiveness,

clinical outcomes and essential services.

“One of the areas we have identified for review is the current arrangements for the provision of IVF services.

“We know that infertility is a very difficult issue for those affected by it.

“As part of our review of all commissioned services, we are faced with difficult decisions, including considering whether IVF services should continue to be funded as they currently are.

“Maintaining the current level of provision of IVF would mean that we would need to consider our investments in other areas of healthcare in order to ensure we are using our resources efficiently.

“At this stage, we believe that reducing cycles to one would bring us in line with most other parts of England, would be the best way to ensure value for money whilst maintaining a service that we know is important to people who are affected by it.

“However we would like views on this before we make a final decision, which is why we are running this engagement exercise.”