Website of the Department of Health

PCT survey - provision of IVF in England 2007

This survey was carried out in autumn 2007.

There is a 100% response rate (some primary care trusts (PCTs) have sent in joint responses). Only four PCTs were not funding IVF, due to temporary suspensions of service (Stoke on Trent has subsequently reinstated the service, providing one full cycle of IVF.) The survey shows progress since a 2006 survey, funded by the Department and carried out by Infertility Network UK, which had a lower response rate (50%) and found that 14 PCTs were not funding IVF.

The survey will be used as a basis for monitoring IVF provision.

Overall, there is a move towards the implementation of the NICE guideline, though there remain variations in access criteria. To help move to more equitable provision, the Government has established an expert group on commissioning NHS infertility provision, which will

• identify the barriers to the NHS progressing to the implementation of the NICE fertility guideline, taking account of the current variation in provision of IVF and ICSI between PCTs, the current variation in access criteria and the intermittent suspension of services in some locations 
• identify and bring about the tools which will help PCT commissioners in making decisions on fertility provision and encourage stepwise progress towards the full implementation of the NICE fertility guideline 

The expert group will support the work being carried out by Infertility Network UK, which will identify and disseminate good practice in the provision of fertility services.

• Download survey report (PDF, 55K)