Tuesday 27 October 2009
So just why does our PCT delay support for IVF?
A very interesting piece of research that confirms the link between Down's syndrome and childbirth later in life begs the question - why on earth does our PCT delay support for those needing assistance until they are at an age where the statistics show they are so much more likely to carry a baby with Down's syndrome? The risk of having a baby with Down's syndrome is one in 940 for a woman aged 30. But by age 40, the risk rises to one in 85. Surely our PCT should see the manyfold benefits (of which a reduced risk of Down's syndrome is just one example) of childbirth at a younger age, not just look at their Balance Sheet?
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Drinking alcohol and the effects on IVF results
We just came across this article about drinking during courses of IVF. We took the decision not to drink before and during our treatment and, although I (male partner) found it difficult at times, it was ultimately worth it. Obviously it is impossible to tell whether the alcohol abstinence was a factor in our success but it was a very small price to pay.
Monday 19 October 2009
Egg screening for IVF
It seems that egg screening success rates are now backed up by real scientific evidence. As yet to be offered on the NHS (well, live in North Yorkshire and you don't even get 'vanilla' IVF, never mind advanced screening techniques) but some private clinics now offer it - it is said to be particularly effective for older women who carry greater risks of giving birth to babies with defects.
Thursday 15 October 2009
Well, how did our PCT fair in the CareQuality Commission survey?
After last year's disasterous results where North Yorkshire and York PCT scored as WEAK there really was only one way up. This year they managed to reach the heady heights of FAIR. Of course this isn't really acceptable. It is certainly not acceptable for those of us unable to get access to a service that most PCTs offer and, yes you've guessed it, NICE and the Government recommend is provided.
Thursday 8 October 2009
Further correspondence from the PCT
After asking for clarification on the impending re-instatement of an IVF service for us unfortunates living in a home with a North Yorkshire postcode, Gill Fox made this statement...
From April 2010, this PCT along with the other 13 PCTs in the Yorkshire & Humber Specialised Commissioning Group, will adhere to a collaborative policy around assisted conception services. This PCT has also agreed that, from that date, all eligible couples will be able to access 1 NHS funded cycle of IVF/ICSI providing they meet eligibility criteria. The age parameters for access will be as per NICE guidance.
As part of on-going discussions, differing PCT eligibility criteria are currently being re-assessed so that all PCTs can sign up to an agreed set, thus helping to dispel any suggestion of a post-code lottery. I have been actively involved in these discussions and I do not anticipate very much change from the present criteria around age of patient(s), previous children by this or other relationships etc although there will be some minor adjustments.
Until April 2010, NYY PCT continues not to routinely commission IVF/ICSI unless the female partner is 39 years and 6 months of age or it is a case of exceptional clinical need. At some point in early 2010, all GPs and consultants will receive further information on the new policy and criteria together with reiteration of referral guidelines.
So there we have it - exact eligibility has not yet been confirmed, but it should mean that a much greater number of couples will now be able to access IVF treatment. They are still some way off meeting NICE and Government targets for proper levels of provision for the service though, but it is a step in the right direction.
From April 2010, this PCT along with the other 13 PCTs in the Yorkshire & Humber Specialised Commissioning Group, will adhere to a collaborative policy around assisted conception services. This PCT has also agreed that, from that date, all eligible couples will be able to access 1 NHS funded cycle of IVF/ICSI providing they meet eligibility criteria. The age parameters for access will be as per NICE guidance.
As part of on-going discussions, differing PCT eligibility criteria are currently being re-assessed so that all PCTs can sign up to an agreed set, thus helping to dispel any suggestion of a post-code lottery. I have been actively involved in these discussions and I do not anticipate very much change from the present criteria around age of patient(s), previous children by this or other relationships etc although there will be some minor adjustments.
Until April 2010, NYY PCT continues not to routinely commission IVF/ICSI unless the female partner is 39 years and 6 months of age or it is a case of exceptional clinical need. At some point in early 2010, all GPs and consultants will receive further information on the new policy and criteria together with reiteration of referral guidelines.
So there we have it - exact eligibility has not yet been confirmed, but it should mean that a much greater number of couples will now be able to access IVF treatment. They are still some way off meeting NICE and Government targets for proper levels of provision for the service though, but it is a step in the right direction.
Tuesday 6 October 2009
Extract from North Yorks NHS board meeting - recommencement of IVF...
So... We have it, in black and white. Finally our wonderful PCT has taken its first tentative steps back on the IVF ladder. At some point in the future they may reach the dizzy heights of meeting NICE guidelines and providing the three courses that are recommended.
Still, it is a start.
10. Provision of Sub- fertility Service
The IVF service was not commissioned from February 2007 and treatment stopped as a result in May 2007. At this point there was a waiting list of patients for 2 years. There were 200 on the list and this has reduced naturally to 100. There is a difficulty with patients meeting the 18/52 waiting list targets and 36/52 would fit the provision of the service better due to the timings and delivery of treatment. There is £400 – 500k left in the funding presently and Gill Fox posed the question to the meeting of whether to commence the service now or to wait until April 2010. It was agreed that the services would be commissioned in April 2010. There would be an exception for patients who were 39 and would have the chance to go through one cycle before they were 40 or patients who had exceptional medical/clinical need.
There was a statement going to be published in the Sunday Telegraph from David Cockayne regarding NHSNYY funding 1 IVF cycle from April 2010 to patients who met the criteria.
Still, it is a start.
10. Provision of Sub- fertility Service
The IVF service was not commissioned from February 2007 and treatment stopped as a result in May 2007. At this point there was a waiting list of patients for 2 years. There were 200 on the list and this has reduced naturally to 100. There is a difficulty with patients meeting the 18/52 waiting list targets and 36/52 would fit the provision of the service better due to the timings and delivery of treatment. There is £400 – 500k left in the funding presently and Gill Fox posed the question to the meeting of whether to commence the service now or to wait until April 2010. It was agreed that the services would be commissioned in April 2010. There would be an exception for patients who were 39 and would have the chance to go through one cycle before they were 40 or patients who had exceptional medical/clinical need.
There was a statement going to be published in the Sunday Telegraph from David Cockayne regarding NHSNYY funding 1 IVF cycle from April 2010 to patients who met the criteria.
Sunday 9 August 2009
IVF Postcode lottery in the news again
Yet again the disparity of service the NHS provides is in the news - here is a link to several reports - but the nation's PCTs still seem reticent to do anything about it. What continues to puzzle us is that the Government and NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence) both advise our PCTs to provide three course of IVF for all qualifying couples, yet each PCT sets its own set of criteria for who qualifies. For example, age restrictions which would exclude a couple from treatment in one PCT would be the age restrictions required to get treatment in another! And in one PCT the couple may be able to get the recommended three courses of IVF (the average required for success) yet in another they will get only two. Or one. Or, as is the case in North Yorkshire and York PCT, none at all.
We say, yet again, we have a NATIONAL Health Service so let's have a set of national guidelines which all PCTs are required to follow. And this goes for ALL NHS services, not just IVF. A Postcode Lottery is unfair, unjust and indefensible.
We say, yet again, we have a NATIONAL Health Service so let's have a set of national guidelines which all PCTs are required to follow. And this goes for ALL NHS services, not just IVF. A Postcode Lottery is unfair, unjust and indefensible.
Tuesday 30 June 2009
North Yorkshire and York PCT to reinstate funding for IVF!
Yes - we have it on good authority that the PCT has finally accepted that its restrictive policy regarding IVF treatment was unacceptable and they have stated that they will offer ALL COUPLES one course of IVF treatment via the NHS as of April 2010.
Whilst this is of no direct interest to us now, we are delighted that all the other couples in North Yorkshire we have heard from who were unable to afford privately-funded treatment may finally be able to receive IVF treatment and we hope they are all as successful as we have been.
And you never know, our little campaign may just have been partly responsible for bringing to their attention the outrage many of us have felt over the last few years.
Whilst this is of no direct interest to us now, we are delighted that all the other couples in North Yorkshire we have heard from who were unable to afford privately-funded treatment may finally be able to receive IVF treatment and we hope they are all as successful as we have been.
And you never know, our little campaign may just have been partly responsible for bringing to their attention the outrage many of us have felt over the last few years.
Monday 29 June 2009
Thursday 25 June 2009
The Sunday Telegraph would like your help!
We have just been contacted by Laura Donnely, health correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph. They are wanting to talk to couples effected by the restrictive policy on IVF in North Yorkshire and the so-called postcode lottery.
She, is very keen to talk to couples who have been affected by the restrictions, who are either paying for IVF privately, or are forced to wait until reaching the age where North Yorks PCT will consider them. She needs to do the interviews, by phone, as soon as possible - today (Thursday 25 June 2009) or tomorrow (Friday). The phone interview should take no longer than 20 minutes. If you can do it, and are happy to be named and photographed to run with the piece, contact her on 020 7931 3562 or laura.donnelly@telegraph.co.uk.
She, is very keen to talk to couples who have been affected by the restrictions, who are either paying for IVF privately, or are forced to wait until reaching the age where North Yorks PCT will consider them. She needs to do the interviews, by phone, as soon as possible - today (Thursday 25 June 2009) or tomorrow (Friday). The phone interview should take no longer than 20 minutes. If you can do it, and are happy to be named and photographed to run with the piece, contact her on 020 7931 3562 or laura.donnelly@telegraph.co.uk.
Friday 19 June 2009
It's a girl! It's a girl!
Our two beautiful IVF babies were born on June 8. Evie Grace (5lb 7oz) and Isabelle Cara (4lb 7oz) are at home mother and both babies are fine and well.
The good news is no thanks to North Yorkshire and York PCT though - their inability to provide the standard of service as recommended by NICE meant we had to pay to have treatment privately.
And this comes in a week where official figures show a strong increase in the provision of IVF treatment. Read about the findings on the BBC site.
Although that news means nothing for any of us living in North Yorkshire. The people charged with providing our healthcare services in North Yorkshire should be thoroughly, utterly and unequivicably ashamed of themselves.
The good news is no thanks to North Yorkshire and York PCT though - their inability to provide the standard of service as recommended by NICE meant we had to pay to have treatment privately.
And this comes in a week where official figures show a strong increase in the provision of IVF treatment. Read about the findings on the BBC site.
Although that news means nothing for any of us living in North Yorkshire. The people charged with providing our healthcare services in North Yorkshire should be thoroughly, utterly and unequivicably ashamed of themselves.
Thursday 21 May 2009
No news
All remains quiet at North Yorkshire and York PCT regarding any further decisions regarding recommencement of any IVF facility for its beleaguered residents. I wish we could be posting to announce that they have finally found the funds to be able to offer the same level of IVF support as almost every other PCT across England (ie at least one course of treatment) but alas no.
Of course we will post as and when we hear anything...
Of course we will post as and when we hear anything...
Tuesday 21 April 2009
Trying to secure funding for IVF in North Yorkshire
Unfortunately we didn't manage to extract a single penny from our finacially destitute PCT, but Infertility Network UK have just released this useful guide to approaching PCTs to attempt to secure funding for IVF. We did something similar ourselves to no avail, but please, please, PLEASE do not let this put you off contacting them. The more people's lives they realise they are destroying, the more likely they will be to finally change their stance. The more exposure their woeful provision gets, the more chance we have of forcing them to finally do something about it.
North Yorkshire and York PCT simply cannot be allowed to continue to ignore Government and clinical guidelines on provision of such an important service just because they wasted millions in the past - if almost every other PCT in England can budget for the service, just why do NY&Y PCT think they can get away with not providing it?
North Yorkshire and York PCT simply cannot be allowed to continue to ignore Government and clinical guidelines on provision of such an important service just because they wasted millions in the past - if almost every other PCT in England can budget for the service, just why do NY&Y PCT think they can get away with not providing it?
Thursday 16 April 2009
Failing at every level
With an ironic smile on my lips I read this article...
Not only does North Yorkshire and York PCT fail it's sub-fertile residents with utter contempt, it (and its parent organisation, Yorkshire and the Humber SHA) is striving to show equal levels of bad service for those fortunate to get pregnant. Of all the nation's SHAs, Yorkshire and the Humber SHA is the ONLY SHA not to show any improvement on current staffing levels for midwives - the current guidelines say that a maximum of 32 births per midwife is acceptable. Our SHA is AIMING FOR 33.8 births per midwife. By 2012.
Which of Yorkshire's residents actully receive better than average care?
Not only does North Yorkshire and York PCT fail it's sub-fertile residents with utter contempt, it (and its parent organisation, Yorkshire and the Humber SHA) is striving to show equal levels of bad service for those fortunate to get pregnant. Of all the nation's SHAs, Yorkshire and the Humber SHA is the ONLY SHA not to show any improvement on current staffing levels for midwives - the current guidelines say that a maximum of 32 births per midwife is acceptable. Our SHA is AIMING FOR 33.8 births per midwife. By 2012.
Which of Yorkshire's residents actully receive better than average care?
Wednesday 4 March 2009
In a similar position to us?
We have just been asked to promote this very worthwhile Support Group series of meetings....
------
ADVERT
------
Have you been trying to conceive for over 12 months without success?
North Yorkshire Infertility Support Group meets at:
Sovereign House (next to Jewsons), Kettlestring Lane, Clifton Moor, YORK. YO30 4GQ
This year’s informal support and information evenings will be held on:
• Thursday 12th March 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
• Thursday 18th June 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
• Thursday 17th September 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
• Thursday 10th December 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
At the beginning of each meeting an invited guest will talk to the group about a topic related to infertility.
So please come and join us. Take this opportunity to:
• Meet others in a similar position
• Look through our books and leaflets
• Share experiences
Tea and coffee will be available. Free parking!
For more details contact:
Sue Redshaw, Subfertility Nurse Counsellor for NHS North Yorkshire and York
on 07786 250721
------
ADVERT
------
Have you been trying to conceive for over 12 months without success?
North Yorkshire Infertility Support Group meets at:
Sovereign House (next to Jewsons), Kettlestring Lane, Clifton Moor, YORK. YO30 4GQ
This year’s informal support and information evenings will be held on:
• Thursday 12th March 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
• Thursday 18th June 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
• Thursday 17th September 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
• Thursday 10th December 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
At the beginning of each meeting an invited guest will talk to the group about a topic related to infertility.
So please come and join us. Take this opportunity to:
• Meet others in a similar position
• Look through our books and leaflets
• Share experiences
Tea and coffee will be available. Free parking!
For more details contact:
Sue Redshaw, Subfertility Nurse Counsellor for NHS North Yorkshire and York
on 07786 250721
Monday 23 February 2009
Will this compell North Yorkshire and York PCT to change it's stance on IVF provision?
An article in The Times
Hopefully they will finally accept that they have a duty to provide treatment although, seeing as they ignored NICE guidelines from 2004, I doubt they will. They have too may car parks to build, too many over-paid and under-performing directors to keep in their expensive cars and comfortable houses...
Hopefully they will finally accept that they have a duty to provide treatment although, seeing as they ignored NICE guidelines from 2004, I doubt they will. They have too may car parks to build, too many over-paid and under-performing directors to keep in their expensive cars and comfortable houses...
Monday 16 February 2009
In the news again
Last week we were contacted by the Yorshire Post to pass comment on the situation we found ourselves in - that we received treatment in an NHS hospital with the same NHS consultants, NHS doctors, NHS nurses and in the same NHS unit as NHS patients. And we had to pay for our treatment in full purely because of our North Yorkshire postcode.
There is a brief article here
The full article was published in the Yorshire Post dated 13/02/2009.
There is a brief article here
The full article was published in the Yorshire Post dated 13/02/2009.
Thursday 15 January 2009
Finally - a response from Jayne Brown, Interim CE of North Yorkshire and York PCT
In September 2008 we forwarded this Blog and the list of comments everyone kindly left. Almost four months later they decided to respond. Of course it is not good news and we had already found out for ourselves (and posted here) regarding the current situation.
15/01/2009
Dear Mr and Mrs (Postcode Losers)
Thank you for your email dated 23 September 2008 with regard to IVF and sub fertility services, and for enclosing a copy/print out of your blog, which I have read with interest. Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to you.
As you are aware, in May 2007, the PCT took the very difficult decision not to routinely commission assisted conception services for the majority of couples (other than those where the female partner was approaching 39 years and 6 months) and at that point, the waiting list held by Leeds General Infirmary was closed to new patients. We do regret that this is a far from ideal situation but unfortunately, as Janet Soo Chung's letter to all patients pointed out, it was felt necessary to take this action in the face of the severe financial deficit which the PCT faced at that time.
Since then, I am pleased to report that the financial situation has improved and we have now been able to re-assess the situation for financial year 2009/10 with regard to funding of assisted conception services. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to re-open the waiting list to new patients. However, we have been able to agree to treat all those patients who were placed on the Leeds General Infirmary NHS waiting list on or before May 2007. From next month onwards, patients will begin to be called through in priority order of having been placed on the waiting list for a review clinic outpatient appointment with a view to treatment following as soon as clinically appropriate.
Once all the waiting list patients have been treated, the PCT will review the position with regard to whether or not new patients can once again be added to the waiting list.
You may be interested to know that two senior members of PCT staff recently met with Clare Lewis-Jones, Chief Executive of Infertility Network UK, for a full and open discussion about infertility services for North Yorkshire patients.
I hope you find this information helpful, however if I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Jayne Brown OBE
Interim Chief Executive
15/01/2009
Dear Mr and Mrs (Postcode Losers)
Thank you for your email dated 23 September 2008 with regard to IVF and sub fertility services, and for enclosing a copy/print out of your blog, which I have read with interest. Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to you.
As you are aware, in May 2007, the PCT took the very difficult decision not to routinely commission assisted conception services for the majority of couples (other than those where the female partner was approaching 39 years and 6 months) and at that point, the waiting list held by Leeds General Infirmary was closed to new patients. We do regret that this is a far from ideal situation but unfortunately, as Janet Soo Chung's letter to all patients pointed out, it was felt necessary to take this action in the face of the severe financial deficit which the PCT faced at that time.
Since then, I am pleased to report that the financial situation has improved and we have now been able to re-assess the situation for financial year 2009/10 with regard to funding of assisted conception services. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to re-open the waiting list to new patients. However, we have been able to agree to treat all those patients who were placed on the Leeds General Infirmary NHS waiting list on or before May 2007. From next month onwards, patients will begin to be called through in priority order of having been placed on the waiting list for a review clinic outpatient appointment with a view to treatment following as soon as clinically appropriate.
Once all the waiting list patients have been treated, the PCT will review the position with regard to whether or not new patients can once again be added to the waiting list.
You may be interested to know that two senior members of PCT staff recently met with Clare Lewis-Jones, Chief Executive of Infertility Network UK, for a full and open discussion about infertility services for North Yorkshire patients.
I hope you find this information helpful, however if I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Jayne Brown OBE
Interim Chief Executive
Monday 5 January 2009
Some great news (for us at least)
As we couldn't get funding for IVF via our local PCT, we decided to fund a course out of our own pockets and it worked first time! We are over the moon!!! On top of that, we have been fortunate enough to conceive twins. Yes - after all the heartache that 2008 brought us, 2009 looks set to be a much, much better year! We are due at the end of June.
We will be keeping this blog running and will update it as and when we hear any more news from North Yorkshire and York PCT with regards to any changes in their stance on their provision of the service and we both hope that anyone else finding themselves in similar circumstances to us are as fortunate as us!
It is such a shame that North Yorkshire and York PCT continue to refuse to accept that they have a duty to provide this treatment to ALL couples without their petty restrictions. I hope that some day soon they will finally follow almost every other PCT in England and provide at least one course of treatment on the NHS. By the way 'NHS' is an acronym for NATIONAL Health Service...
We will be keeping this blog running and will update it as and when we hear any more news from North Yorkshire and York PCT with regards to any changes in their stance on their provision of the service and we both hope that anyone else finding themselves in similar circumstances to us are as fortunate as us!
It is such a shame that North Yorkshire and York PCT continue to refuse to accept that they have a duty to provide this treatment to ALL couples without their petty restrictions. I hope that some day soon they will finally follow almost every other PCT in England and provide at least one course of treatment on the NHS. By the way 'NHS' is an acronym for NATIONAL Health Service...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
