§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to prioritise on sub-fertility waiting lists females who are approaching the cut-off point for age-related treatment options. [187793]
§ Angela SmithThere are no plans at present to prioritise on sub-fertility waiting lists females who are approaching the cut off point for age-related treatment options. A consultation and equality impact assessment on the future provision of sub-fertility services in Northern Ireland have now been undertaken and I hope to be able to announce my proposals in this regard in the very near future.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many couples are awaiting(a) initial outpatient assessment and (b) treatment for sub-fertility in the Province. [187794]
§ Angela SmithThe information requested is not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the latest figure is for the average waiting time from GP referral to consultant assessment for sub-fertility treatments in the Province. [187795]
§ Angela SmithThe information requested is not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to bring the criteria for NHS-funded sub-fertility treatments in Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the United Kingdom. [187796]
1480W
§ Angela SmithPublicly funded IVF treatment has been available in Northern Ireland since the establishment of the interim fertility service in December 2001. Access to the interim service is regulated by criteria recommended in the advisory report submitted in February 2001 by the Regional Medical Services Consortium.
To inform decisions on the longer term provision of fertility services in Northern Ireland, including the access criteria which may be applied, I issued the document, "From People to Parents" for public consultation in October 2003. The consultation process has now closed and I hope to be in a position to announce my proposals for the future development of fertility services in Northern Ireland in the very near future. In making my decision I will of course wish to take account of criteria for NHS funded fertility treatment used in GB.