Donor shortage and cost leading to reproductive travel
Researchers Professor Lorraine Culley and Dr Nicky Hudson of De Monfort University have published a research as part of the Transnational Reproduction (Transrep) project.Cost and shortage
The research highlights the shortage of egg and sperm donors in the UK, as well as the cost if IVF treatment in the UK. Cost and shortage has led to increasing numbers of people going abroad to seek treatment.
NICE
The report calls on the guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to be fully implemented. They are for three full cycles of infertility treatment should be provided by the NHS and that costs in the private sector should be kept down.
Treatment abroad
The paper also recommends minimum standards and treatment for all those who go abroad for treatment. Patients travelling abroad also welcomed the idea of shared care between UK and overseas clinics. But the same patients had trouble finding UK clinics that offered this.
The report recommends that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Association (HFEA) should provide this information.
ESHRE
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has a 'good practice guide' for centres treating foreign patients in the UK. To protect patients, families and donors from potential exploitation and inappropriate treatment the researchers recommended these be fully implemented.
Unhappy patients
Commenting Professor Culley stated, "Most felt that the UK could not offer them either timely or affordable treatment and in some cases people were unhappy with treatment they had previously received in UK centres."
Read more at: bionews.org.uk