§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria his Department recommends local health authorities apply to couples awaiting assisted conception treatment. [6257]
§ Mr. HoramDecisions about provision, priority and resources for infertility services are made by individual health authorities, who are in the best position to determine priorities in the light of local needs and circumstances. The decisions must be made on the basis of sound evidence.
372WAdvice is available to health authorities and clinicians in the following publications:
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.The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists "Infertility—Guidelines for Practice".Copies of these are available in the Library.
The RCOG is reviewing its 1992 guidance as part of a project sponsored by the Department of Health. The revised guidelines should be available to clinicians next year.