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'Bracknell women shouldn't have to fight for IVF'

By Lorna Catling
August 24, 2009

A woman forced to go abroad for IVF treatment has attacked the postcode lottery that negatively affects Bracknell women.

Nicola Dawson, 35, who now has twins, has spoken out about the situation after a new report compiled by MP Grant Shapps (Welwyn Hatfield) highlighted the differences in treatment depending on where you live.

In Bracknell, under the Berkshire East Primary Care Trust (PCT), couples can access free NHS IVF only if the woman is aged between 30 and 34 under new criteria to be implemented in December 9.

This goes against the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines that it should be available to women aged between 23 and 39.

Eighty-six per cent of PCTs stick to the guidelines, according to the report released last month.

Nicola, who underwent three private cycles of IVF with husband Nigel before travelling to Spain for successful donor treatment, said: “I think it is appalling that local PCTs don’t adhere to the guidelines that have been made public.

“I’m not just talking about IVF either; it applies to all the types of healthcare that PCTs don’t adhere to government guidelines.

“If NICE has made a recommendation, with all their experience and research, and people have got their hopes up, then it should be mandatory.”

Nicola, who lives in Warfield with Nigel and 10-month-old twins Hannah and Nial, started trying for a baby soon after they married seven years ago and looked into IVF after three years of having no luck.

They paid for two cycles privately and then the Government announced IVF would be available on the NHS.

After a referral from their doctor, who confirmed they met the criteria for treatment, they were stunned when the PCT refused them as Nicola was under 36 and they had already paid for private treatment previously.

They paid for a third unsuccessful cycle privately before going to Spain for the donor treatment.

Nicola, who is on maternity leave, said: “It was unbelievably difficult. Someone who hasn’t been through it can’t have any idea how hard it is.

“It was worth it in the end for us but we should not have had to fight so hard.

“Now we just want to concentrate on being a family.”

The couple were helped through the IVF process by the National Infertility Awareness Campaign support network.

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Dazmando you're right, there should be money for both, but there just isn't, so priorities have to be made. This nations is Billions of pounds in debt so tell me where you think all this extra money is going to come from!

Marjo
27/08/2009 at 06:34

well im actually trying for a baby at the moment so you can guess which side of the argument I take. Although there should be enough money for both saving lives and creating new lifes

Dazmando, Mount Lane
26/08/2009 at 09:07

I think that NHS resources are very precious right now and I really would rather the money was used to help save a life then create new baby. Too many people are not receiving the treatment they need to stay alive. I really feel sad for people that can't have children, but if you really thought about it, maybe you would rather save a life then create one...There are some children who have no parents, give one of them a chance to be loved and supported...I say this as an adoptee!

Marjo
25/08/2009 at 14:56

The only thing I don't understand is why more people don't consider adoption if they can't conceive. There are plenty of babies and children that need a loving family, but no one seems to want to give them one.