`IVF priority will always be given to couples without children'

Hopes dashed as demand is too high, says consultant

COUPLES who already have children will not be able to receive free fertility treatment in Huddersfield, it emerged today.

The blow comes as a top fertility consultant revealed the true picture facing childless couples across Huddersfield and Calderdale.

New rules agreed by Huddersfield health chiefs last month made in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment available to more couples on the NHS than ever before.

The criteria - in line with national guidance - saw the age of women eligible for one free cycle increase from 35 to 40.

Age limits for men were also removed.

The rules relating to people with children from previous relationships were also relaxed, although the guidance said priority should always be given to those without children.

But today Martin DeBono, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust, said demands on IVF treatment were so high, that people with children already would never realistically get a look-in. Mr DeBono, who runs the assisted fertility unit at Calderdale General Hospital in Halifax, said: "The current pressures on the service are such that practically speaking, couples with existing children are not going to access care.

"We currently have a three-year wait so they are never going to get the front of the queue for treatment.

"And priority will always be given to those couples without children."

He said increasing the age limit for women had already seen waiting lists soar from 18 months to three years.

Sohail Bhatti, public health director for Huddersfield Central and South Huddersfield Primary Care Trusts, which funds the treatment, said: "We are sympathetic to the plight of couples but unfortunately we have to work within limited resources. We have already put more money into the system but it is never going to be enough.

"Unfortunately it is based on need and those with no children are more in need."

He said the primary care trusts were working to try to increase IVF provision in the future.