The Government’s decision to remove additional barriers some LGBTQ couples face in accessing NHS-funded infertility treatments has been welcomed by charities and equality organisations.
Under current rules, heterosexual couples can access NHS-funded infertility treatments after proving they have been trying to conceive naturally for a certain period of time.
However, single women and female same-sex couples are required to pay privately for artificial insemination, which can cost thousands of pounds, to prove their fertility status before they are eligible for NHS-funded fertility treatment.
The rule change, part of the Women’s Health Strategy published on Wednesday, will mean female same-sex couples and single women will no longer have to privately fund IVF rounds before they are eligible for NHS infertility treatment.
A 2021 investigation by BPAS found that 76% of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) require same-sex female couples to self-fund a minimum of three cycles of artificial insemination, which can cost up to £1,600 per cycle.
NHS treatment for female same-sex couples will now start with six cycles of artificial insemination before moving on to IVF. There will also be a push to end the ‘postcode lottery’ in accessing IVF treatment for same-sex and heterosexual couples: currently some NHS areas offer one cycle and others three, and some base eligibility for treatment on criteria such as whether a person has child from a previous relationship.
Marta Jansa Perez, director of embryology at BPAS Fertility, said they were “absolutely delighted” with the government’s decision to remove additional barriers facing female same-sex couples.
“Fertility services are critical in helping the development of diverse family structures. However, our research found that female same-sex couples and single women are disproportionately affected by policies that require them to self-fund expensive and less effective artificial insemination, in some cases for at least two years, before being eligible for IN VITRO funding . These restrictions amount to a tax on LGBT+ families and the impact can be truly devastating.”
She added: “We will examine the policies in detail when they are published and will continue to campaign for fair and equal access for all infertility patients, including single women.”
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The announcement was also welcomed by Stonewall. The charity’s chief executive, Nancy Kelly, said: “We are delighted that the UK Government has heeded our call for fair and equal access to IVF treatment.
“For years, lesbian, bisexual and trans people have been forced to pay up to £25,000 for private healthcare before they can access IVF on the NHS or give up their dream of becoming parents.
“This is a huge step towards a world where LGBTQ+ people have the same opportunity as everyone else to build a loving, thriving family of their own.”
On Wednesday, the Department of Health and Social Care published its first women’s health strategy to tackle gender health inequalities. The strategy also aims to improve specialist endometriosis services and increase and expand breast cancer screening services.
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