IVF Provision from May 1, 2021

People in and west who are referred for NHS funded IVF treatment will soon be able to access services at three new specialist providers as well as from two existing providers.

Bourn Hall, Cambridge IVF, Care Fertility, Create Fertility and The Fertility Partnership (under IVF Hammersmith Ltd) have been awarded the contracts for the provision of IVF services for eligible patients in East and North Hertfordshire CCG, Herts Valleys CCG and West Essex CCG areas from 1 May 2021.

Bourn Hall and Create Fertility are existing providers and will continue to provide fertility care to local patients.

All patients already referred to the three providers (London Women’s Clinic, Centre for Genetic and Reproductive Health and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust), which are not continuing the contract after 30 April will still receive their treatment with that provider, and do not need to take any action.

The new contracts follow a procurement process where the three clinical commissioning groups in Hertfordshire and west Essex worked together to award contracts for the next five years with an option to extend for up to a further two years.

The CCGs in Hertfordshire and west Essex fund one cycle of IVF and specialist fertility treatment for eligible patients.

Couples experiencing problems with their fertility should speak with their GP in the first instance to discuss their concerns and options. Patients are assessed and then may be seen by a community provider or local hospital for tests and investigations.

The decision to refer a couple for IVF or other fertility services is based on an assessment against set eligibility criteria and a request for funding is then made to the CCG. After funding has been approved, patients will then be referred to the IVF clinic of their choice from one of the five service providers.

For more information, the CCG’s IVF policy can be found on the West Essex CCG website.

If you have questions about the IVF pathway and would like to contact the CCG, they should email: [email protected]

FAQs for patients

I am receiving treatment by a provider which isn’t providing the service after the 30 April. Does the change in provider affect me?

No, it doesn’t affect you. As long as your provider has received and accepted your referral by 30 April, then your treatment will continue as planned with your chosen provider. You do not need to take any action.

Funding is valid for 12 months and includes up to 12 months of frozen storage of embryos. After this time should a couple wish to self-fund the continued storage of embryos they should discuss their options with their chosen clinic. Under the NHS package of care we would expect the NHS funded IVF treatment to be completed within 12 months. However, in exceptional clinical circumstances the IVF clinic can apply for an extension of funding from the CCG Individual Funding Request team.

I have sperm/eggs being stored with a fertility provider because I am undergoing treatment that could cause permanent infertility, will that storage arrangement change?

No, your sperm or eggs will continue to be stored with the existing fertility provider for 10 years. You do not need to take any action.

If a referral is made for me on a date that is very close to new providers, will I be referred to a new provider or one of the ones not continuing a contract?

All of the providers with whom the CCGs currently hold a contract can accept referrals up until the April 30.

However, from Thursday 22 April secondary care clinicians are asked to use the new funding application form which only lists the providers who have been awarded contracts from the 1st May. This allows time for the funding and referral process and reduces any complications during the transition period.

Where can I get more information about the five providers commissioned by the CCGs to deliver fertility treatment?

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has a list of accredited clinics which can be found at:

Which area does this service cover?

The contractual service specification covers all patients registered with a GP in East and North Hertfordshire, Herts Valleys and West Essex clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).

This specification has been developed in conjunction with NICE clinical guidance on fertility (Fertility CG156).

Where can I find out more information about my CCG’s IVF policy?

These can be found on the CCG’s websites below:

• East and North Hertfordshire CCG

• Herts Valleys CCG

• West Essex CCG

Please note that the Specialist Fertility Treatments within the scope of the policy are:

• In‐vitro fertilisation and Intra‐cytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF & ICSI) • Donor Insemination (DI) • Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI) unstimulated • Sperm, embryo and male gonadal tissue cryostorage and replacement techniques • Egg donation where no other treatment is available • Blood borne viruses (ICSI + sperm washing).

Treatments excluded from the policy are:

• Pre‐implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) and associated IVF/ICSI (commissioned by NHS England) • Specialist Fertility Services for members of the Armed Forces (commissioned by NHS England) • Specialised surgical sperm retrieval (commissioned by NHS England) • .

I have previously been declined funding for IVF treatment; am I now able to apply again?

You will still need to meet the eligibility criteria for IVF treatment. The awarding of new contracts to IVF providers does not change this. If you believe your circumstances have changed and you may be eligible for IVF or other specialist fertility care, please discuss this with your GP.

Where are the IVF clinics based?

Bourn Hall www.bournhall.co.uk

Bourn Hall Clinic, Bourn Hall Clinic Bourn Hall Clinic, Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge Colchester, Norwich Wickford High Street Charter Court Unit 3 The Apex 25 London Road Bourn Newcomen Way Gateway 11, Farrier Close Wickford Cambridge Colchester Wymondham Essex CB23 2TN Essex SS12 0AW CO4 9YA NR18 0WF

Cambridge IVF www.cambridge-ivf.org.uk

Cambridge IVF Kefford House Maris Lane Cambridge CB2 9LG

Care Fertility www.carefertility.com

Care Fertility London Care Fertility Northampton Park Lorne, 111 Park Road 67 Cliftonville, The Avenue, Northampton Marylebone NN1 5BT London NW8 7LJ

Create Fertility www.createfertility.co.uk

CREATE Fertility Hertfordshire CREATE Fertility St Paul’s CREATE Fertility Wimbledon Colney Medical Centre 150 Cheapside St Georges House, 3-5 Pepys Road 45-47 Kings Road City of London West Wimbledon St Albans London SW20 8NJ Hertfordshire EC2V 6ET AL2 1ES

The Fertility Partnership (under IVF Hammersmith Ltd) www.thefertilitypartnership.com

The Fertility Partnership Boston The Fertility Partnership Oxford The Fertility Partnership Place Fertility Fertility Simply Fertility 20 Boston Place Institute of Reproductive Sciences Essex Healthcare Park London Oxford Business Park North West Hanningfield Road NW1 6ER Alec Issigonis Way Great Baddow Oxford Chelmsford OX4 2HW Essex CM2 8FR