IVF South Yorkshire: Pressure mounts on regional health bosses to reverse "heartbreaking" fertility cuts

Health bosses at the ICB made the decision in November, cutting the number of cycles available through the NHS from two to one – a reported saving of £400,000.

Despite opposition from local authorities in the region, the ICB went ahead with the cut, which a local councillor in Doncaster said was “shocking”.

In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), a spokesperson for the City of Doncaster Council Labour Group urged the ICB “to reconsider this decision and listen to the voices in Doncaster and South Yorkshire”.

They said: “Doncaster Council strongly opposed the proposal with cross-party support at September’s Full Council following a motion by Councillor Gemma Cobby and Cllr Sue Farmer, stating various reasons why a reduction would be detrimental such as the success rate of second attempt of IVF is often higher than the first, the significant cost of private treatment, the impact of women’s health which often is not diagnosed after several years, minimal saving compared to the benefits of a successful second IVF conception, and the health risks of using ‘cheaper’ or unregulated methods.

“[The council] alongside Sheffield City Council, several MPs across South Yorkshire and over 90% of the consultation respondents objected to the proposal and advocated for maintaining the number of cycles offered.”

The statement pointed to verdict of the Quality, Sustainability, Equality and Health Inequality Impact Assessment, which considered the proposal as “having a high negative and disproportionate impact on several protected and vulnerable population groups living in South Yorkshire”.

“As a council, we strongly oppose of this decision made by SYICB for the above reasons stated… as we support the right to a family and believe both individuals and couples should have fair access to fertility treatment which does not place residents in financial detriment or at risk of unsafe alternative methods,” the spokesperson finished.

Chris Edwards, the interim chief executive of the South Yorkshire ICB, said the decision brings the region’s IVF policy in line with “the majority of ICBs in England”, in a statement when the cut was made.

He said: “This has been an extremely tough choice, but it must be considered in the wider context of improving health outcomes for our whole population and ensuring fair access to services for everyone across South Yorkshire.

“We remain committed to offering fertility treatment for our population and through our new policy will continue to support hundreds of people in South Yorkshire every year.”

The ICB revealed that in some exceptional circumstances an individual funding request could be put forward by a patient’s clinician, which could lead to further cycles.

“We recognise how important IVF services are for those affected, and this decision has not been taken lightly by the Board. However, in a difficult financial climate we have a responsibility to balance the needs of all our communities and ensure that we are delivering the best possible value for money within the resources available,” Mr Edwards said.

Cllr Gemma Cobby, who proposed the Doncaster Council motion opposing the move, told the LDRS the decision was “heartbreaking”.

“The devastation of couples, women, individuals, will be more significant and they won’t realise that for a couple of years,” she told the LDRS.

Cllr Jane Cox, a Conservative councillor for Finningley, was “stunned” by the move.

“One round of IVF is shocking… It’s dreadfully unfair as few women get pregnant from their first cycle,” she said.

Cllr Cobby’s motion to full council in September was backed by 50 of the 51 councillors in attendance, as well as receiving a vote from the Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones.