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

My meeting with our local MP, Phil Willis

This morning I had an apointment to see our MP, Phil Willis, to discuss the issue of North Yorkshire PCT's refusal to fund any form of assisted conception.

It was an interesting meeting, interesting in that I heard what I already expected to be the case - that he had already lobbied the PCT over their position on behalf of other constituents unsuccesfully.

The PCT continues to state, in a rather non-committal manner, that it will review its position on funding later this year. Mr Willis stated that he would be contacting both the PCT over the non-committal wording of the last correspondence he received and that he would also be writing to Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson, Secretary of State to put the question to him that the so-called postcode lottery still exists and that his constituents have found themselves in the tiny minority of the UK's population that cannot receive any help towards the cost of IVF treatment simply because other districts covered by the PCT mis-managed their budgets in the past.

What are we doing to help ourselves?

We know that we can't just sit back and expect things to be handed to us on a plate. Since we started trying for a family we have altered our lifestyle in the hope that we conceive naturally. We have changed out diets (more fresh fruit and vegetables - all organic) and cut out alcohol completely. For my wife it was easy as she doesn't drink regularly, but for me it was a bit of a shock to the system as I do enjoy my regular nights out both socialising with mutual friends and with 'the lads'. I have also started taking regular vitamin supplements like zinc and vitamin C - something I have always been cynical of in the past as I believe we all get the vitamins we need in a balanced diet - but at this stage I feel we have to be open-minded about anything that may help us achieve our goal and improve the results of our final test due later this month. I will write a post after we get them to let everyone know if all our changes have made any difference.

Our first thoughts...

My wife and I are trying for a baby. Insofar we have been unsuccessful and have enquired about assisted fertility treatment in case we find that we need outside help to conceive. After an initial consultation with Professor Balen at Leeds Nuffield Hospital we have found out that North Yorkshire PCT will not provide funding for any form of assisted conception.

We have since contacted Jill Fox and Sue Redshaw, both who work for North Yorkshire PCT, and they have confirmed that due to budget deficits, they do not give help to couples who, like us, are struggling to conceive. This is in spite of Government and NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guidelines stating that at least one course of IVF should be provided via the NHS (the ideal being three courses).

Jill Fox did advise that the PCT will be reviewing their position in the autumn of 2008. Should they decide that they will start supporting treatment again, it will only open up the existing waiting list (some people have been waiting for two years since the service was suspended). Anyone requiring treatment in those last two years will only be able to join the back of that existing list. She wouldn't say how long they estimated the list to be if and when it is re-opened.

On Monday I am going to see our local MP, Phil Willis (Lib Dems) to discuss the matter and I shall post up once we have spoken.

I will also be posting as the weeks and months pass with details of our progress.