HL Deb 05 March 2004 vol 658 cc131-2WA
Earl Howe

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Department of Health will set national eligibility criteria for access to infertility services once the standard of those services has been set by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence; and [HL1448]

Which body, or bodies, will be responsible for ensuring that the forthcoming National Institute for Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines for assessing and treating people with fertility problems are implemented fully across the country; and [HL1449]

Whether it is their policy that National Health Service-funded infertility treatment should be carried out within a service that offers a full range of evidence-based investigations and treatments, in order to provide couples with the most appropriate treatment for their needs and to reduce wastage from inappropriate procedures. [HL1450]

Lord Warner

We welcome the guideline on National Health Service fertility services in England and Wales that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) published on 25 February 2004. The guideline's recommendations on the assessment and treatment of couples are based on considerations of clinical and cost effectiveness. In order to move towards implementation of the guideline, and to introduce a national minimum level of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) service across the country, we have asked all primary care trusts to offer at least one cycle of IVF to all those eligible by April next year. We have also asked that priority be given to couples who do not have any children living with them.

Although we recognise, as does NICE, that the NHS cannot reasonably be expected to implement the guideline in full overnight, we expect the NHS to make progress to full implementation in the longer term.

The Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection will inspect NHS service provision using criteria it develops which take into account the Secretary of State's statement of healthcare standards, which are currently open to public consultation. These draft standards currently propose that NHS treatment and care should be based upon nationally agreed best practice and guidance, including that issued by NICE.