COUPLES in Barnsley who are struggling with infertility are to have their access to free IVF treatment slashed in half after health bosses made the ‘difficult’ decision amid cost pressures.
The South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) launched the formal review earlier this year and conducted a 12-week consultation with residents.
Eligible couples are currently offered two NHS-funded IVF cycles but the review has determined the number will be cut in half.
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.
Chris Edwards, interim chief executive at NHS South Yorkshire, said: “The ICB board has made the difficult decision to move from offering two funded IVF cycles to one, which brings our policy in line with the majority of ICBs in England.
“We recognise how important IVF services are for those affected, and this decision has not been taken lightly by the board.
“However, in a difficult financial climate we have a responsibility to balance the needs of all our communities and ensure that we are delivering the best possible value for money within the resources available.
“IVF is just one of the areas identified for review by the ICB.
“We are examining a range of services in line with our organisational priorities, the needs of our citizens, clinical outcomes, cost effectiveness and the delivery of essential services.”
Following this decision the change is applicable to new referrals and any existing service users will continue with their treatment plans. Eligibility criteria for IVF remains the same.
Where there is evidence of exceptional circumstances an individual funding request could be put forward by a patient’s clinician.
Mr Edwards added: “This has been an extremely tough choice, but it must be considered in the wider context of improving health outcomes for our whole population and ensuring fair access to services for everyone across South Yorkshire.
“We remain committed to offering fertility treatment for our population and through our new policy will continue to support hundreds of people in South Yorkshire every year.”
The ICB board also made the decision to decommission gluten free bread and mixes prescribing except for the most at risk of clinical harm following a similar process.
He added: “Gluten-free prescribing is one of several areas currently under review by the ICB.
“We are assessing a range of services in relation to our organisational priorities, the needs of our citizens, clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and the provision of essential services.
“This decision has not been taken lightly,
“However, in a difficult financial climate we have a responsibility to balance the needs of all our communities and ensure that we are delivering the best possible value for money within the resources available.”
