§ Martin LintonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is(a) age range of patients accepted for treatment on the NHS, (b) age at which female NHS patients begin treatment and (c) waiting times for NHS patients on the lists at assisted conception units in England with NHS lists is the average; [57012]
(2) when the NICE report on access to fertility treatment will be published; [57021]
317W (3) if he will list the assisted conception units in England with NHS lists on which patients are prioritised by (a) age, (b) other factors and (c) date of referral. [57011]
§ Yvette CooperThe statistical information requested is not available centrally. The Department undertook a baseline survey of infertility provision in the national health service in 1999. A report on this "Survey of NHS Infertility Services 1997–98" has been published and copies are available in the Library.
We understand that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence expects to deliver its clinical guidelines on infertility by October 2003.