§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has regarding the policy of each health board in Scotland with regard to the provision of infertility treatment for patients in the respective health board area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangIt is for individual health boards to decide on the pattern and extent of infertility services they wish to purchase, in the light of their assessment of local needs.
I understand that all health boards in Scotland purchase levels I and II infertility services.
Level III services are available at four centres in Scotland. These are located in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow and are based on, or have links with, the university medical departments of obsterics and gynaecology. Most health boards purchase specialist level III treatment, including in vitro fertilisation. I understand that the exceptions are Grampian, Lothian, Orkney and Shetland health boards. These boards are currently reviewing their arrangements for purchasing infertility services.