Outline acceptance criteria for NHS fertility treatments
Consideration of the Welfare of the Child
The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act (1990) states that the Welfare of any children born as a result of fertility treatment should be taken into consideration before offering treatment.
The Centre sends a form to each patient’s GP in order that they can comment on the couples suitability for assisted conception with regard to the welfare of any child born as a result of treatment.
Patient Selection Criteria
Couples are assessed as thoroughly as possible. We particularly aim to ensure the following:
- The commitment of both parents to bringing up a child.
- The couple’s ages, medical history and the medical history of both their families are taken into consideration.
- The ability of the couple to meet the needs of the child/children.
- Any possible risk of harm to the child/children, including inherited disorders, abuse/neglect, any existing children in care, a history of violence, drug abuse, sexual abuse or relevant criminal convictions in either partner.
- The affect any new child will have on any existing children.
Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin CCG and Wales acceptance criteria
All NHS treatment commissioning groups will insist their NHS funded patients need to be below a certain age and have a healthy BMI (normally below 30). Depending on the NHS group that commission treatment in the patient’s geographical area there are also additional criteria that must be met. The criteria for patients living in Wales and those living in Shropshire are different. The quantity and type of treatment they fund and the amount of time you need to wait for treatment also differ. In some instances, patients can still access investigations (tests) despite not being eligible for treatment. You can find out more detail about the Policy that applies in your area by clicking on the links below;
Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CCGS
Wales
Patients paying for their own treatment have a different set of acceptance criteria. We will still assess the couple/individual for any child welfare concerns but we are able to be more lenient in terms of weight (may treat up to BMI 35), age etc.
Additional criteria for all patients
In addition to the above criteria there are several other points that must be taken into account before a patient can be treated:-
- The Centre reserves the right to deny treatment to any individual who acts in an aggressive or abusive manner towards staff or who does not comply with the treatment plan they are prescribed
- The Centre will only treat fee-paying patients who pay for their treatment in advance. In the event of non-payment, treatment will be cancelled and a cancellation fee will apply.