FUNDING for fertility treatments should be expanded to Islanders with children from previous relationships “as a matter of urgency”, a politician has said – after it emerged that only a tenth of the annual budget was spent in the first half of this year.
Health Minister Deputy Tom Binet confirmed in July that just £62,000 of the £620,000 set aside for government-funded in vitro fertilisation treatment had been used since the new criteria were introduced in January.
During that time, 43 Islanders were seen by the Assisted Reproduction Unit but did not qualify for funding. Of these, two-thirds were denied financial support because they or their partner already had a child.
Deputy Lucy Stephenson, who has repeatedly warned that the current funding rules exclude many families, said: “Removing the non-clinical access criteria, such as having existing children or having paid for their own IVF previously, should be a priority.”
She added: “I’d like to see the criteria widened as a matter of urgency to ensure that the money budgeted to help people who need it is spent as intended and treatment isn’t being needlessly rationed.
“Every month really does matter to some fertility patients, and it’s disappointing that ministers say they cannot review the criteria more quickly.”
Every month really does matter to some fertility patients, and it’s disappointing that ministers say they cannot review the criteria more quickly
deputy lucy stephenson
The founder of a local fertility charity said it was “concerning” that the majority of Jersey’s IVF funding budget remains unused, “while most people who need treatment are excluded by restrictive criteria”.
Tiny Seeds founder Chloé Fosse explained: “Fertility treatment is time-sensitive, and delays in widening access mean many islanders are being left without support.
“We have asked the government to consider accelerating their review, to widen the criteria, and to make the system fairer for all.
“This isn’t about asking for extra funding – it’s about ensuring the money already allocated reaches the people it was intended to help.”
Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell, who has responsibility for women’s health, acknowledged to the States Assembly this week that the existing IVF funding criteria “may be too restrictive”.
Deputy Howell committed to review the criteria, but said that proposed changes would not be brought to the Assembly until the end of October at the earliest.
