§ Ms AthertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to extend fertility treatment to service personnel and their families. [2401]
§ Dr. MoonieFertility treatment is not provided by the defence medical services, although contributory causes would be investigated and treated in accordance with normal medical practice. Service personnel seeking fertility treatment would need to obtain it through the national health service (NHS), or privately if they were prepared to meet the cost.
The policy on the provision of fertility treatment in the NHS is under review. When new guidelines are issued to health authorities, the Ministry of Defence will consider what changes, if any are necessary to our current policy on the provision of fertility treatment for Service personnel.