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.

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.

No news is bad news

It is over two weeks since we emailed every member of North Yorkshire and York PCT's Clinical Leadership Programme with details of our situation and giving them the list of comments left on our petition.

Not one person, not a single solitary person had the good grace to reply to us, to give us feedback on the current situation.

It is one thing being in this dreadful position in the first place, but it is another thing entirely for every member of the team charged with running our PCT to completely ignore us.

It sums up just what these people think about dealing with the public they are paid to serve.

A response from North Yorkshire and York PCT

Earlier this week I wrote about the Government's letter to all PCTs regarding their provision of IVF and other assisted fertility treatments. I said I would be speaking to our PCT and I finally managed to get through to the right person yesterday (name withheld). I was told that they have yet to receive the letter, although they are aware of it.

The person I spoke to about it was very candid and open about their position and said they would have to wait until they receive the letter, read through the details of the proposal in full and decide on a way of implementing things. She was quick to admit that it will take some time before things can be changed and that we should not expect any quick decisions.

So, here we are, still not even able to get onto a waiting list, never mind get any treatment. The PCT will not even give us a target date for the re-provision of the service. This is simply because our PCT overspent so wastefully and shamefully which led to them withdrawing a treatment that the Government and NICE have repeatedly said should be provided on the NHS. This is also in spite of them being aware that the Health Minister has, just this week, written to them again to tell them they should be providing a full three cycles of IVF including frozen embryo provision. But what do residents under the juristiction of North Yorkshire and York PCT get? A new car park at York hospital.

The comment I found particularly surprising was 'I will be the happiest person in the world when I can tell couples they can have IVF treatment in North Yorkshire'. Somehow I do not think she will be happier than the people being told they no longer have to find countless thousands of pounds to fund the treatment that 95% of the UK gets access to on the NHS.