NINE positive pregnancy tests have resulted from funded in vitro fertilisation treatment since the Island’s new criteria and funding system was introduced earlier this year.
The government has spent a total of £62,000 on funded IVF cycles to date this year.
The figures were revealed by the Health Minister in response to a written question by Deputy Lucy Stephenson.
Deputy Tom Binet explained that, since the new criteria and funding system were introduced earlier this year, 17 Islanders have been provided with IVF treatment.
He said that all funded patients have had one fresh cycle each at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine. In addition, there have been seven frozen embryo transfers.
A frozen embryo transfer cycle is the process whereby a patient uses embryos frozen from a previous IVF cycle in a new cycle, as an alternative to a “fresh” embryo transfer.
The Health Minister also confirmed that 43 Islanders have been seen by the Assisted Reproduction Unit (ARU) for IVF treatment but did not qualify for funded treatment.
Of these, 28 did not qualify for funding because they or their partner already have a child, nine did not qualify because they have previously had self-funded IVF or have embryos stored, and six did not qualify for “other reasons” such as age or BMI requirements.
New access criteria for IVF funding came into force in Jersey on 1 January 2025.
Under the new model, all couples are eligible for one funded cycle of the fertility treatment, irrespective of income.
Those with a gross household income of less than £200,000 are eligible for two funded cycles of IVF, whilst couples earning under £82,300 are eligible for three funded cycles.
In addition to the financial criteria, couples must meet a set of additional specifications including age and BMI restrictions.
There is also the requirement for the couple to be in a stable relationship, and for both partners to be childless – including children from previous relationships.
Deputy Stephenson previously raised concerns that the IVF funding criteria might exclude existing parents struggling to conceive another child.
Meanwhile, experts said that same-sex couples are likely to face higher costs under the new funding model, whilst the CEO of a local equality and diversity charity said it was “disappointing” that Jersey’s LGBTQ+ community had not been consulted during the development of the guidelines.
Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell confirmed in recent months that the IVF funding criteria would not be expanded at this time, but said a further review is planned for the end of 2025.
The Government’s own Women’s Health and Wellbeing Assessment, published in December, found that many islanders face emotional and financial barriers to accessing fertility treatment.
It read: “The government is investing more monies to allow more people to access government-funded IVF cycles in UK clinics, but this will not include everyone who would benefit from IVF.
“In addition, patients must still fund their own travel and accommodation costs.
“Some countries like France and Spain offer more affordable and accessible fertility treatments.”
