§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average waiting period for IVF treatment; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleWaiting time information by specialty is published in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England", a copy of which is available in the Library. Information on the time that waiting list patients have waited for treatment of specific conditions is not collected centrally.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to amend the waiting list system for IVF and fertility treatment for childless couples to take into account the age of that couple; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleDecisions about the appropriate treatment for a couple seeking help over infertility are a matter of clinical judgment. Age is one of the factors clinicians will consider in assessing a patients' suitability for any form of infertility treatment.