We watched the very interesting Panorama programme last night. Although it focussed on a slightly different issue to the one we are experiencing, it still exposed the huge flaws in the localised spending on the NHS and the lottery of care that follows.
Perhaps it is time for the Government to become actively involved and ensure a fair and centralised system is put in place. Then we can all be assured of receiving parity in our healthcare needs, rather than finding ourselves unable to receive help whilst someone else, sometimes living on the other side of the street, is able to receive it.
We pay into the system equally - we should be able to benefit from it equally.
Showing posts with label Postcode lottery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Postcode lottery. Show all posts
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
Monday, 11 August 2008
IVF on the NHS - the facts
To put the situation in North Yorkshire into perspective on a national scale:
There are 151 PCTs in England, each receiving their budget directly from the Department of Health.
In February 2004 NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) recommended that three cycles of IVF should be provided by the NHS if the woman is between 23 and 39 years old.
At that time the then Health Secretary, John Reid said that he expected all Primary Care Trusts to be offering at least one cycle by 2005, with the longer term aim of full implementation including three cycles of IVF per appropriate patient.
- In August 2008 only nine of the 151 PCTs offer three cycles.
- 138 PCTs offer just one or two cycles.
- North Yorkshire and York PCT remains one of the four remaining PCTs to refuse to offer ANY cycles of NHS funded IVF.
They should be ashamed.
There are 151 PCTs in England, each receiving their budget directly from the Department of Health.
In February 2004 NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) recommended that three cycles of IVF should be provided by the NHS if the woman is between 23 and 39 years old.
At that time the then Health Secretary, John Reid said that he expected all Primary Care Trusts to be offering at least one cycle by 2005, with the longer term aim of full implementation including three cycles of IVF per appropriate patient.
- In August 2008 only nine of the 151 PCTs offer three cycles.
- 138 PCTs offer just one or two cycles.
- North Yorkshire and York PCT remains one of the four remaining PCTs to refuse to offer ANY cycles of NHS funded IVF.
They should be ashamed.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
An update
Well perhaps not the news we had been hoping for, but as a result of the last round of tests, Professor Balen has decided that the best course of action to take is IVF with ICSI. So now, more than ever, we will be feeling the full impact of North Yorkshire and York PCT's decision to not fund IVF.
The minimum charge for a single course we have found so far is £3,320, and prices can go up to an incredible £10,000. For a single attempt.
We wonder if they actually care that every resident of their district has to find the funds to privately proceed with treatment?
We wonder if they care that just 12 miles away, residents in West Yorkshire can get assistance with the costs?
We wonder if our tax and national insurance contributions are being distributed fairly so that they can be used to treat other people but not us?
We wonder if the 'postcode lottery' is alive and kicking?
Yes it is - and it's kicking us in the teeth, and the administrator's of our PCT sit there and continue to have the audacity to state that they do provide IVF as their ruling 'does not apply in some cases of exceptional clinical need'.
So if my wife was in the six month window between 39.5yrs and 40yrs old or had a terminal disease, we may be eligible, otherwise we have to remain one of the 5% of the entire UK that does not have access to NHS-funded IVF treatment.
Can you stop kicking us in the teeth now please?
The minimum charge for a single course we have found so far is £3,320, and prices can go up to an incredible £10,000. For a single attempt.
We wonder if they actually care that every resident of their district has to find the funds to privately proceed with treatment?
We wonder if they care that just 12 miles away, residents in West Yorkshire can get assistance with the costs?
We wonder if our tax and national insurance contributions are being distributed fairly so that they can be used to treat other people but not us?
We wonder if the 'postcode lottery' is alive and kicking?
Yes it is - and it's kicking us in the teeth, and the administrator's of our PCT sit there and continue to have the audacity to state that they do provide IVF as their ruling 'does not apply in some cases of exceptional clinical need'.
So if my wife was in the six month window between 39.5yrs and 40yrs old or had a terminal disease, we may be eligible, otherwise we have to remain one of the 5% of the entire UK that does not have access to NHS-funded IVF treatment.
Can you stop kicking us in the teeth now please?
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