Bristol IVF centre closure damaging to patients – please respond

Bristol IVF centre to close from November 2017; have your say online before 30 June

Have your say: Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCGs have begun the process of appointing a new provider for the IVF services currently provided to them by Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine at Southmead hospital in Bristol. They are asking for feedback before 30 June on their plans for this service; please do respond stressing how important it is for IVF services to be easily accessible for the population they serve. That’s because undergoing fertility treatment is already an incredibly stressful and lengthy process – hospital appointments are numerous and acutely time-sensitive. Being forced to travel much further distances will only add to an already distressing situation and make the task of having to negotiate work arrangements with employers, who are often reluctant to allow time off for fertility treatment, more difficult.

You can see the details and survey here: https://www.southgloucestershireccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/current-engagements/recommissioning-specialist-fertility-services/

The survey closes on 30th June.

Commenting on the decision to close the IVF centre at Southmead Hospital from November 2017, Susan Seenan, chief executive of Fertility Network UK said: ‘This is a deeply disappointing decision. Fertility patients in Bristol and the surrounding area will suffer unnecessary additional stress as a result of the closure of the local IVF centre at Southmead hospital. Undergoing fertility treatment is already an incredibly stressful and lengthy process – hospital appointments are numerous and acutely time-sensitive; that’s why being able to access a local, convenient hospital is of incredible importance. Being forced to travel much further distances will only add to an already distressing situation and make the task of having to negotiate work arrangements with employers, who are often reluctant to allow time off for fertility treatment, more difficult.’

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-40353848

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/nhs-close-bristol-ivf-centre-119222