§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health authorities provide in vitro fertilisation treatment free within the national health service system. [3185]
§ Mr. HoramThis information is not available centrally.
Information on the services available under the national health service for the treatment of infertility is contained in "The Effective Health Care Bulletin", "The Management of Subfertility", August 1992, published for the NHS management executive by a consortium of Leeds and York universities and the research unit of the Royal College of Physicians. Copies of the bulletin are available in the Library.
Local health authorities are responsible for the provision of local health services, including the provision of infertility services. Decisions about the resources available for these services must be left to individual health authorities as they are in the best position to determine priorities in the light of local needs and circumstances.