Swadlincote couple’s anger at ‘heartless’ plans to cut IVF treatment … – Burton Mail

A Swadlincote couple who have been trying to have a baby for six years have slammed plans to cut NHS IVF treatment in some areas across the country, saying the move is "playing with people's lives".

Chris and Kelly Chambers are unable to conceive naturally after a number of health issues. The couple, who are desperate for a baby, say a recent announcement that some areas in England will cut back on IVF treatment, is shattering for those who have no other choice.

The couple have endured heartbreak and say they have been on an emotional rollercoaster on their journey to complete their family.

It comes after Kelly, 32, who have suffered three ectopic pregnancies which have resulted in the removal of both of her fallopian tubes, spoke out after charity Fertility Network UK warned of stricter access criteria for NHS IVF.

They are not entitled to have IVF treatment on the NHS because Chris has two children from a previous relationship. To qualify for treatment in the UK couples cannot already have children, even from previous relationships.

In a new move, Richmond clinical commissioning group (CCG) in south-west London is introducing tighter access criteria for NHS IVF treatment while continuing to offer one partial NHS-funded IVF cycle for women under 40. Meanwhile Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCGs are proposing to reduce the female age criteria, so that only women aged between 30 and 35 will be able to access NHS fertility treatment.

Chris, 38, feels the proposals are ridiculous and could push people over the edge.

He said: "It is awful. We pioneered this in our own country and now people are being told who and who cannot have children. It is disgusting. It is the one thing you should be able to get help with.

"I cant imagine the pain for the people who live in these areas who are having that small chance of hope ripped away. This is playing with peoples lives."

Chris said the actions were reflective of a postcode lottery approach to treatment, saying that a one size fits all approach should be in place so that everyone has the same opportunities.

He said: "It is a joke. Something like this should be the same for everyone. Every single person should have the chance to be a parent and this will push desperate people over the edge I feel."

Despite his anger at the plans, Chris said he is certain people will do whatever it takes to have a chance at a family.

He said: "These people are desperate so they wont think twice about moving to where they can get the treatment, but it shouldnt have to be like that.

"You assume that this service is going to be there for you and you have that choice but it clearly doesnt work like that. This is going to completely change peoples lives."

The couple, who are currently raising money for private IVF treatment which costs 10,000. Kelly, who has also miscarried in the past and carries the cystic fibrosis gene, is unable to be an egg donor and was left shattered after losing both her fallopian tubes within two months.

Chris, who fits ventilation systems, said: "You are going above and beyond before you even get to the criteria and the chances are really slim but we have no other choice. This is our only hope.

"There are no words to describe how hopeless and helpless you feel going through this. It is difficult but it is important not to give up the fight."

Chris believes the changes are making it impossible for people to have their dream baby.

He said: "Putting age restrictions on and limiting the amount of treatment in different areas is just creating further barriers and I really struggle to see the logic.

"This devastating journey has really opened my eyes to what people have to go through to be treated seriously and to count. We have been trying to complete our family for six years so it has been a long time coming, but it is becoming the be all and end all.

"We still have an awful long way to go but we are in the process of putting in an appeal to Derbyshire CCG. We feel Kelly has been discriminated against because I have children and that isnt fair.

"We want to make a noise and make them stand up and take notice because something has got to change. All we want is a baby of our own. Is it really too much to ask?"

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidelines say the NHS should provide three full cycles of IVF treatment for women aged under 40 who have failed to get pregnant after two years of trying.

A spokesman for the three CCGs told the Guardian: "We know how hard it can be for couples who are struggling to conceive and will continue to offer fertility treatment to hundreds of people every year. Clinical evidence shows that treatment between the ages of 30 to 35 offers the highest possible chance of success."

Fertility Network UK also says that Redditch and Bromsgrove, South Worcestershire and Wyre Forest CCGs have cut the number of NHS IVF cycles they offer from two to one.

The news also prompted a fertility specialist to warn of "deliberate inequality".

Professor Simon Fishel, founder of the Care Fertility network of clinics, said: "What is the point of having Nice guidelines if they are not adhered to? If the country decides it will not fund IVF then fine, that is a decision that affects everyone ... but what I cannot abide is the local variation for something like this, which doesn't reflect local populations. You have to treat citizens equally and this is a deliberate inequality."

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is one of several techniques available to help people with fertility problems have a baby.

During IVF, an egg is removed from the woman's ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilised egg, called an embryo, is then returned to the woman's womb to grow and develop.

It can be carried out using your eggs and your partner's sperm, or eggs and/or sperm from donors.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published fertility guidelines which make recommendations about who should have access to IVF treatment on the NHS in England and Wales.

These guidelines recommended that IVF should be offered to women under 43 years of age who have been trying to get pregnant through regular unprotected sex for two years, or who have had 12 cycles of artificial insemination.

However, the final decision about who can have NHS-funded IVF in England is made by local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), and their criteria may be stricter than those recommended by NICE.

If you're not eligible for NHS treatment, or you decide to pay for IVF, you can have treatment at a private clinic. Costs vary, but one cycle of treatment may cost up to 5,000 or more.

Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding alcohol, smoking and caffeine during treatment may improve your chances of having a baby with IVF.

NHS trusts across England and Wales are working to provide the same levels of service. However, the provision of IVF treatment varies across the country and often depends on local CCG policies.

CCGs may have additional criteria you need to meet before you can have IVF on the NHS, such as:

In some cases, only one cycle of IVF may be routinely offered, instead of the three recommended by NICE.

If you're not eligible for NHS treatment or you decide to pay for IVF, you can have treatment at a private clinic. Some clinics can be contacted directly without seeing your GP first, but others may ask for a referral from your GP.

The cost of private treatment can vary, but one cycle of IVF can cost up to 5,000 or more. There may be additional costs for medicines, consultations and tests.

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Swadlincote couple's anger at 'heartless' plans to cut IVF treatment ... - Burton Mail