News

World’s first IVF clinic Bourn Hall partners with national charity Fertility Network UK to help more employers implement ‘fertility fairness’ in their workplace

The world’s first IVF clinic, Bourn Hall, is joining forces with the UK’s national fertility charity, Fertility Network UK, on their Fertility in the Workplace (FiTW) initiative, which helps firms support staff experiencing fertility struggles.  “One in six people have difficulties conceiving, and all are of working age. Infertility impacts…

Staffing update 

We are sorry to share that for personal reasons Becky Kearns will not be continuing in the role of Chief Executive of FNUK. The Board wishes Becky well and hopes to collaborate further with her and the other organisations she is involved with in the future. We are pleased to…

Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent approve fertility policy that is the worst in UK

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent integrated care board (ICB) has approved a new interim fertility policy which offers the bare minimum of NHS-funded help – just one embryo transfer for women aged 23-40 – and makes accessing NHS fertility treatment harder or impossible for other groups. The new policy comes into force…

Coping with Christmas when you have fertility issues

Facing Christmas and the festive season when you’re struggling with fertility issues can be too painful to bear. It’s hard enough seeing images of family and what you don’t have and want during the rest of the year, but there’s something about Christmas that can make it far, far worse.…

Can you help with some important research about Trauma in Infertility?

This survey is open to those who have been diagnosed with infertility, are undergoing, or have had treatment within the last 5 years across the UK and Ireland and we want you to have your say. If you feel this is relevant to you, we would very much appreciate you…

Fertility patients priced out of becoming parents and pressured into unwelcome and potentially risky treatment choices by cost-of-living crisis and lack of NHS-funded care

Soaring living costs coupled with rising fertility treatment fees and a lack of NHS-funded fertility care are pricing fertility patients out of the chance to become parents and forcing them into unwelcome and potentially hazardous choices, according to a survey by national charity Fertility Network UK published at the start…

Fertility Network UK responds to the HFEA’s updated treatment add-ons rating system

Dr Catherine Hill, Fertility Network UK’s Head of Policy & Public Affairs, said: ‘Because of the lack of access to NHS-funded fertility treatment in the UK, the majority of fertility patients have to make decisions about the type and amount of fertility care they purchase. These emotionally and financially difficult…

Search on for new Fertility Network UK chief executive

Could you be the new chief executive of national charity Fertility Network UK? The charity is beginning the process of looking for a new chief executive, after interim CEO Dr Catherine Hill stepped back from the role. Dr Hill is moving to a new role within the charity as Head…

Breaking News! – First UK Womb Transplant

Dr Catherine Hill, interim chief executive of Fertility Network UK said: ‘This is an historic moment – the first womb transplant in the UK. It’s a wonderful, exciting step forward in science and, for fertility medicine, it’s the dawn of a new era. This news will give so much hope…

National Fertility Awareness Week; 30th Oct – 5th Nov 2023

#Fighting4Fertility Join us during Fertility Week 2023 30 Oct – 5 November 2023 1 in 6 people in the UK face fertility issues, and our aim is to make sure everyone on a fertility journey, whatever the stage they’re at, has the support and information they need. Join us, amplify…

Hertfordshire & West Essex ICB Fertility Under Review – Have Your Say!

Hertfordshire & West Essex ICB is carrying out a review of its policy on specialist fertility treatment.  All policies need review from time to time and this particular one was due for a review in 2022. An extension was agreed to September 2023 which is why we are now seeking…

Frimley ICB will be changing its policy on access to NHS-funded fertility treatment for female same-sex couples

Fertility Network congratulates @whatwegandidnext for their tenacity & courage in challenging this unfair policy... they've done an incredible job of raising awareness of the terrible financial hurdle female same-sex couples face when they're hoping to start a family. Frimley Integrated Care Board hasn't said yet how it is going to…

Update on proposed Welsh fertility policy changes

The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) has provided an update on its proposed changes to fertility treatment in Wales. Thank you to everyone who responded to the consultation earlier this year. The WHSSC is now in the process of considering all the responses and comments it received, and this…

Could you be a Fertility Network board trustee?

Fertility. We think it’s the most important thing in the world. And it’s our aim to be there for anyone facing fertility challenges. We’re the national fertility charity and we’re seeking new board trustees to help shape our future as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. The role is a voluntary…

Update on the proposed changes to fertility treatment in Wales

At the start of 2023, the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) proposed changes to fertility treatment policies in Wales which would ration access to NHS fertility treatment for heterosexual couples, make it harder for same-sex couples to access NHS treatment and exclude single women and men from accessing NHS…

Fertility Network is hiring!

Fertility. We think it’s the most important thing in the world. And it’s our aim to be there for anyone facing fertility challenges. We’re the national fertility charity and we’re about to turn 20, which we think is something to shout about! That’s why we’re seeking an experienced Communications &…

Hope & female choice at heart of Fertility Trends report, but concerns about falling NHS IVF

Commenting on the HFEA 2021 Fertility Trends report, Dr Catherine Hill, interim chief executive of Fertility Network UK, said: ‘Hope and female choice are at the heart of this striking Fertility Trends 2021 report from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). Hope for fertility patients because treatment success rates…

Fertility Network UK appoints interim chief executive

The board of trustees are pleased to announce Dr Catherine Hill as Chief Executive of Fertility Network on an interim basis, effective immediately. Dr Hill first joined the charity in 2015 and has over five years’ experience working at senior management level. Dr Hill’s appointment follows the resignation of Gwenda…

The Fertility Show is back 20-21 May 2023

The Fertility Show LIVE will be returning to London Olympia on 20 – 21 May 2023 and we are delighted to be a part of it once again. The renowned show is the only live event that lets you meet with so many top fertility experts, clinics and doctors in one place at one…

Tips for coping with Mother’s Day

Tips for coping with Mother’s Day Mother’s Day can be one of the hardest days of the year when you’re struggling to conceive or experiencing the loss of miscarriage. It all too often feels like a cruel reminder of what you don’t have and most desperately long for and it…