Healthwatch Doncaster & Healthwatch Rotherham respond to the SYICB consultation outcome on IVF cycle reduction & Gluten Free Prescription
Healthwatch Doncaster & Healthwatch Rotherham is deeply disappointed by the
outcome of the recent South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (SYICB) consultation
to reduce the number of NHS-funded IVF cycles. While we acknowledge that this
change applies only to new referrals, with existing service users continuing their
treatment and eligibility criteria remaining unchanged, we remain concerned about
the wider implications of this decision.
As the independent champion for people who use health and care services, it is
essential to us that local voices are heard, respected, and meaningfully reflected in
decision-making. Throughout the consultation period, we worked to ensure that
people across Doncaster - and more widely across South Yorkshire - had
opportunities to share their views. We attended SYICB-led consultation events and
hosted our own online focus group specifically focused on the IVF proposals.
outcome of the recent South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (SYICB) consultation
to reduce the number of NHS-funded IVF cycles. While we acknowledge that this
change applies only to new referrals, with existing service users continuing their
treatment and eligibility criteria remaining unchanged, we remain concerned about
the wider implications of this decision.
As the independent champion for people who use health and care services, it is
essential to us that local voices are heard, respected, and meaningfully reflected in
decision-making. Throughout the consultation period, we worked to ensure that
people across Doncaster - and more widely across South Yorkshire - had
opportunities to share their views. We attended SYICB-led consultation events and
hosted our own online focus group specifically focused on the IVF proposals.
What people told us was clear, consistent, and strongly felt.
What we heard about IVF cycle reduction:
• Impact on women’s health: Participants felt strongly that reducing access to
IVF disproportionately affects women and undermines reproductive health
and autonomy.
• Minimal financial savings: Many questioned the rationale for the change,
highlighting that the projected cost savings appear limited when set against
the significant personal impact.
• Effect on people with medical conditions: Attendees raised concerns that
individuals with existing health conditions, who may already experience
reduced fertility, would be unfairly and disproportionately affected.
• Impact on low-income women: People were clear that those who cannot
afford private fertility treatment would be hit hardest, leaving some with no
viable route to starting a family.
• Demographic impact: Participants questioned the long-term implications of
restricting fertility treatment at a time of an ageing population and declining
birth rates.
• Mental health concerns: People spoke powerfully about the emotional and
psychological toll of infertility, and raised concerns that reduced access to IVF
could significantly increase mental health pressures.
What we heard about IVF cycle reduction:
• Impact on women’s health: Participants felt strongly that reducing access to
IVF disproportionately affects women and undermines reproductive health
and autonomy.
• Minimal financial savings: Many questioned the rationale for the change,
highlighting that the projected cost savings appear limited when set against
the significant personal impact.
• Effect on people with medical conditions: Attendees raised concerns that
individuals with existing health conditions, who may already experience
reduced fertility, would be unfairly and disproportionately affected.
• Impact on low-income women: People were clear that those who cannot
afford private fertility treatment would be hit hardest, leaving some with no
viable route to starting a family.
• Demographic impact: Participants questioned the long-term implications of
restricting fertility treatment at a time of an ageing population and declining
birth rates.
• Mental health concerns: People spoke powerfully about the emotional and
psychological toll of infertility, and raised concerns that reduced access to IVF
could significantly increase mental health pressures.
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