In the papers

To help raise awareness of the situation regarding the lack of funding for IVF and other assisted conception methods in the North Yorkshire PCT area, I had a telephone interview with the Harrogate Advertiser yesterday. They have said that they are very surprised to hear about the lack of provision and were very happy to run an article about it in this week's edition. They also said that they will consider running more stories about it over the coming months.

Of course we are not naïve enough to think that things will happen overnight and that we will suddenly get to the front of what will be a long waiting list should it ever be re-opened, but we strongly feel that something needed to be said. infertility is often something couples are ashamed of and they will not stand up to have their voices heard. We fear that it is precicely for that reason that the PCT decided they could afford to withdraw the service in the first place.

We will post up next week once we have seen the final piece and we hope that it may help us and all the other couples in similar situations across North Yorkshire

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.