CHANGES to the eligibility criteria for funded in-vitro fertilisation treatment have been praised as a “positive step forward” – but the government has been urged to further expand the offering to “support more people in the future”.
The criteria was updated on Wednesday to allow couples to qualify if one partner has children from a previous relationship, and remove the requirement for same-sex female couples to prove infertility through artificial insemination attempts.
However, restrictions remain for couples that have a child or children together in their current relationship. Same-sex male couples and single people remain outside of the non-clinical criteria.
Chloé Fosse, the founder of fertility charity Tiny Seeds, said the amendments are “encouraging” and “very welcome step forward”.
She added: “We have heard a mix of relief and continued frustration. Couples who now fall within the widened criteria are understandably delighted – they have waited a long time for this change, and it brings hope.
“However, we have also heard from people who remain excluded – often for reasons that feel unfair – such as having previously self funded treatment cycles when there was no choice but to do so, having a child already, and relationship status.
“We know firsthand how emotionally and financially difficult fertility challenges can be. It is heartbreaking for those who still left behind.
“These changes are a positive step in the right direction, but we would like to see the criteria widened and evolved to support more people in the future.”
It comes after Health Minister Tom Binet confirmed in July that just £62,000 of the £620,000 set aside for funded IFV treatment had been used since new criteria was 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.
