Latest news with #ClareEttinghausen
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
IVF births increase but NHS funding drops, new figures show
IVF births made up more than 3% of births in the UK in 2023, according to new 20,700 babies were born during the year as a result of in vitro fertilisation -representing an increase from 8,700 in 2000, figures from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) single patients and female same sex couples opting for the treatment has contributed to the rise, while there has also been an increase in older NHS-funded cycles across the UK have decreased in recent years from 35% in 2019 to 27% in 2022 and 2023, the report found. The chairwoman of the HFEA said the figures demonstrate the "changing landscape of the UK fertility sector" and how it might develop in the data, which covers the year 2023, indicated that 52,400 patients had over 77,500 IVF cycles at licensed clinics in the UK."IVF births are making up a higher proportion of all UK births over time, increasing from 1.3% in 2000 to 3.1% in 2023," the report said."This means around one in 32 UK births in 2023 were via IVF - roughly one child in every classroom - compared to one in 43 in 2013."Of patients aged between 40 and 44, 11% of births were a result of IVF compared with 4% in 2000. I lost £15,000 after going to an IVF middlemanFertility patients sold unproven add-ons, HFEA says Director of strategy and corporate affairs at the HFEA, Clare Ettinghausen, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the increase in the last decade has been due to "several reasons".She cited those seeking treatment due to fertility issues as well as those looking to have children later in life."We're seeing an increased use of IVF in older age groups," she said. "The big increase, although still quite small numbers, has been in female same sex couples and single patients – those have really driven some big rises in [the] numbers of people seeking fertility treatment."Ms Ettinghausen added that funding has "dropped quite dramatically" over the last 10 years with around one third of people across the UK having NHS funding for the described access to funding as "patchy" depending on where you live - with the highest amount of NHS funding having always been in Scotland."With the small amount of money that is available, the earlier that NHS funding can get to people the better value it is for the NHS," she added. "The quicker people can be seen the more likely [either] the IVF will be successful [or] they might not need that expensive and invasive treatment."The report found that the average proportion of NHS-funded cycles dropped from 35% in 2019 to 27% by 2023, while national differences ranged from 54% in Scotland to 24% in England."The decrease in NHS-funded IVF treatments across the UK may relate to increased waiting times for further investigations prior to accessing NHS-funded treatments," the report on the HFEA data, a spokesperson from the fertility charity Fertility Network UK underlined that delays in accessing treatment could have "a devastating emotional and biological impact"."We call for fair and timely access to fertility services for all, wherever they live and whatever their background," they said.
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Fertility patients sold unproven add-ons, regulator HFEA says
Many fertility patients in the UK are being offered unnecessary add-on treatments that have little or no proof of improving the likelihood of pregnancy, a report suggests. Add-ons are optional, non-essential treatments some private clinics offer in addition to proven treatments, such in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).According to the regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) , 73% of 1,500 patients surveyed between September and October 2024 said they had used an add-on in their latest round of said they had done so based on the clinic's recommendation. And only about one in every three said the possible risks had been explained to them. Spending money HFEA director Clare Ettinghausen told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "This is people themselves reporting on whether they took perhaps an additional supplement, like a vitamin tablet, or had a test or perhaps something like acupuncture. "We have looked at the evidence... they are not necessarily going to increase the chance of having a baby. "So we are worried that people are spending money unnecessarily."Some of the add-ons can cost thousands of while the HFEA has no power to stop or fine clinics, it is reminding them they must give patients a clear idea of what add-ons involve, how likely they are to help and how much they regulator also has its own traffic-light rating tool to help patients decide. Examples include:Genetic testsEndometrial scratching - where a small area of the womb lining is scraped to trigger processes in the hope it will help the embryo implantAssist hatching - where a small crack is created in the embryo's outer layer Overall, patients were satisfied with the care they were receiving, Ms Ettinghausen the HFEA is concerned NHS patients are waiting longer than those going over one out of every two private patients started treatment within a year, compared with one out of every three NHS patients.A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "It is unacceptable fertility patients are being offered unnecessary treatments that will not help them in their goal of becoming parents."We are working to improve access to NHS fertility services for all who need it."We are also currently considering advice from the HFEA about priorities for law reform covering their regulatory powers, including their potential role in digital clinics."
