Southend CCG consults on removing NHS IVF
Please complete brief online survey here to save NHS IVF in Southend
Southend clinical commissioning group (CCG) is consulting on removing NHS IVF – the fifth CCG in the region to do so; to register your voice against this, please complete the brief survey here
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/sosivf
The survey will close on 26 October 2017.
Southend CCG currently offers eligible couples two partial NHS-funded IVF cycles. It says it is consulting on decommissioning NHS IVF in a bid to save money: the CCG states it treats on average about 50 patients a year, with a total cost of around £200,000.
If Southend CCG does remove NHS IVF, it will make the region the worst in the country in terms of access to NHS IVF. Three CCGs have already removed NHS IVF – Basildon and Brentwood CCG, North East Essex CCG and mid-Essex CCG, and West Essex CCG is currently consulting on cutting from 2 IVF cycles to zero.
Commenting on these cuts, Susan Seenan, chief executive of Fertility Network UK said: ‘Infertility has a serious and lasting impact on all those affected; removing access to NHS treatment is a short-sighted and false economy. Fertility problems do not just affect people physically, but mentally too: 90% of people experience depression; 42% suicidal thoughts and relationships are affected (70%). Please complete the survey and help to stop these changes.
England pioneered IVF approaching 40 years ago but that achievement literally means nothing if only those who can pay for IVF benefit from it. A large number of people simply cannot afford the financially-crippling cost of private treatment in the UK. Some are forced into debt and re-mortgage their home; it’s desperately unfair. Access to clinically-effective and cost-effective treatment for any medical condition should never be dependent on your postcode.’
Southend CCG’s consultation document is available to view at
For more information about the consultation or if you would like the consultation document in another format please contact paulilett@nhs.net or call 01702 314299.
The CCG will also be holding a number of workshops where you can discuss these changes directly with local GPs. The dates for these will be announced shortly.
You can also email the CCG at SCCG.Communications@nhs.net and add ‘IVF Consultation’ to the subject line.