To not disagree that IVF should be further restricted to save money

[Banana8080]

NHS England is considering reducing IVF offer guidelines, some areas offer 3 cycles (the current recommendation), while others offer none.

Current age limit is 40 years, strict BMI and trying to conceive for at least two years.

While infertility can be devastating, I myself have just had treatment (private) followed by a mc, it’s not critical/life saving. I’m sad but I left it late (37) even though I knew the risks.

Am I being unreasonable to say it’s ok for NHS to review guidelines, maybe reduce upper age to 35, one cycle etc. And this money goes to critical care - cancer, more nurses etc etc

www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jun/29/ivf-cycles-restricted-england-nhs-advisers-ignored

Perfectly put, thank you 👆

@northernlurker that was sarcasm right? I might be confusing you with another poster but I think you have been active (and supportive) for a long time in the infertility threads?

I would rather limit the free care to UK residents before punishing people who are suffering with infertility.

It sounds like you think that things like cancer are more 'deserving' - yet a significant % of cancer cases and many other illnesses would not be there if not for lifestyle decisions. Much of the NHS spend on 'life saving' is also in the last few years of life, often with a fairly low quality of life involved. This is not to say the NHS shouldn't cover these conditions, but the press has often given us the idea that the trade-off is that younger people are being denied life saving cancer drugs (usually stories in the Mail featuring 34 year old blonde mothers of three, and neglecting to mention that the pharma company behind the insanely expensive drug that will extend her life for 3 months is funding the whole thing) or that children are dying unnecessarily. That's just not often the case. It's things like mental health care, or infertility - stuff that with a little spend now, could change lives and save later on - that is often getting neglected.

The reality is that infertility happens in the prime of life, destroys relationships and mental health, and - provided that there are some sensible limits, like the 3 rounds/40years etc - exactly the kind of thing that to me a national health service should absolutely be covering.

I think the whole healthcare system in the UK needs a shake-up.
If you don't have health you have nothing... Be it physical or mental.
The trouble is (and the majority of us are guilty of this to a lesser or greater extent) that we don't prioritise our health.
I know a GP whose husband is loaded who tells me she gets the children's skin creams on prescription because Oilatum is quite expensive. Sorry - you have two houses and drive an F pace... You shouldn't be getting body lotion on prescription.
I think if you want an elective c section that isn't recommended by the NHS then you should pay the difference (£2k or something? So many people spend £1k on a pram and think nothing of it).
I like the idea that someone else posted earlier of cosmetic surgery where it affects mental health at not for profit rates etc.
The NHS is currently trying to offer a 5* all inclusive service at B&B in Bognor rates (and remember lots of people don't contribute to the NHS as they don't earn, so the per head contribution from quite a proportion of the country is £0).

I think it should be 3 rounds. Everywhere. But much stricter guidelines on age, health, lifestyle, how long you’ve tried naturally etc

I’ve found it easy to conceive. I know I’m lucky. I have 5 healthy children but also lost a baby at 36 wks, and have had major health problems with each pregnancy. I’ve been sterilised on doctors advice. I’m sure my pregnancies have cost the NHS more than a round or two of ivf.
My brother and his lovely wife got one round free in our area. Luckily I’ve a beautiful niece now.
If some places get 3, why not everywhere? Or 2 for each area? It doesn’t make sense to me.
Or breast reduction?my nan suffered so much pain with her huge breasts had a reduction on theNHS. And was a changed woman.

Just to say - the NHS hasn't decided to develop the layers of bureaucracy just for fun. We have layers of it forced upon us by regulation and legislation, performance management, clinical governance, participation and engagement standards, equality legislation, community empowerment Legislation, climate control legislation, assessments, consultation, community planning legislation, freedom of information, gdpr, BSL action planning, the requirement for transformation and clinical strategies, professional registration, complaints procedures, emergency planning legislation, facilities management, vacancy control, hr legislation. Public health campaigning etc etc etc. Take away some of that and we might have some more resources for patients.