Felixstowe man urges health chiefs to reconsider decision not to part with funding for IVF treatment

Matthew Shapland is appealing for Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG to reverse their decision not to give him funding for IVF treatment.

Matt Bunn Wednesday, October 29, 2014 7:54 AM

A Suffolk man who was told he and his partner will not be eligible for IVF treatment funding is today appealing for health chiefs to reconsider their decision.

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Matthew Shapland, of Felixstowe, suffers from cystic fibrosis, a condition which causes the majority of male suffers to be naturally infertile.

The 23-year-old and his partner, who has a child from a previous relationship, applied to the Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for exceptional funding for the treatment.

They were hopeful of being successful because of Mr Shaplands condition, but at a meeting of the groups individual funding request panel last week, it was refused.

Mr Shapland said: It has been really tough.

When this landed on us, after going to hospital for tests and examinations, it did push me back a little bit. We are trying to see the positive side and hoping they do change their minds.

I have only got one sister so for me it is going to be carrying my name down the line. It will mean everything to us, especially for me to be able to experience it all (raising a child).

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Felixstowe man urges health chiefs to reconsider decision not to part with funding for IVF treatment