§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many couples received IVF treatment on the NHS in Northern Ireland in the last five years for which figures are available; what the average length of treatment was; and if he will make a statement on IVF provision in Northern Ireland. [161290]
§ Angela SmithThe interim sub-fertility service was established in December 2001, making specialist treatments such as IVF available for the first time in Northern Ireland as part of a publicly-funded fertility service. Prior to that date IVF treatment in Northern Ireland was available only on a private basis.
584W
Details £000 Rivers Agency Replacement of culvert in Shrigley, Killyleagh. 5 Roads Service Footpath from the Comber Road Estate to St. Mary's School 10 Surface dressing for the Innishbeg and Kerrywynn Estates. 10 Surface dressing on the A22 Comber Road, from River Bridge to Comber Road Estate. 5 Housing Association Grant Over the next three years, a grant of 341,000 will be provided for a new build housing scheme of four units for general needs accommodation. Clanmil Housing Association will provide these units at Frederick Street, Killyleagh. 137 Housing Executive Variety of projects including improvements, repairs, adaptations and maintenance. 510 It is not possible to provide precise data on the number of couples that have received IVF treatment as the data collected refers to treatment cycles provided rather than couples treated. The following table sets out the number of IVF treatment cycles commissioned since the establishment of the interim sub-fertility service.
Number of IVF cycle commissioned 2001–02 147 2002–03 131 2003–04 207 Data are not collected on the average length of treatment.
A consultation document and equality impact assessment on the future of sub-fertility services were issued for public consultation on 13 October 2003. In developing the paper, my Department worked closely with commissioners, providers and users of fertility services, to discuss issues and concerns. The consultation period closed on 30 January. The outcome of the consultation process will inform final decisions on the future provision of fertility services in Northern Ireland to be made later this year.