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Following a recent review of its policy on fertility treatment, the National Health Service (NHS) in England has shared details about changes to its eligibility criteria. However, Sarah Curtiss, a woman who had been refused free IVF treatment because of her husband’s previous child, has expressed disappointment at the changes that have been proposed. Curtiss, who has polycystic ovary syndrome, spent years trying to conceive before launching a campaign to change the eligibility guidelines for fertility treatment across the East Midlands. While some changes have been proposed, existing rules regarding stepchildren have been left unchanged.
In 2021, Curtiss launched a petition calling on health boards to alter their policies. “I deserve to be a mum just as much as anyone else,” she argued. “To not have that opportunity simply because my partner chose to have a life before he even met me, it’s absurd and it’s not right.” At present, most care boards require that neither partner has living children. The aim of the review is to create a single policy for the entire region. Curtiss previously said she had been given assurances that the rule regarding stepchildren would be eliminated.
Ms Curtiss’s disappointment stems from the fact that stepchildren are still mentioned in the updated eligibility guidelines. She said she felt “let down” and wants to keep fighting for step-parents who need support to have a baby. NHS bosses clarify that the proposals for the updated guidelines only form a proposal, they reiterate that no decisions have been made yet.
Ms Curtiss welcomed the news of a planned review of fertility policy across the East Midlands eighteen months ago. Additionally, since then, she has become pregnant herself. This is an encouraging development that further strengthens her commitment to fighting for parents who need support. In her words, “If anything, this pregnancy has spurred me on. To know I’m going to be a mum is a magical experience and I want others to have that feeling.”
In conclusion, while Curtiss and other campaigners eagerly await official action on the new proposals, it is essential to highlight challenges that still need to be addressed by the NHS regarding the issue. Campaigners argue that limitations on eligibility can lead to inequalities in access to the treatment across the region. The public has been asked to share their thoughts and ideas on policies related to fertility services and anyone can complete the survey and share their views with NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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