Desperate couple’s anger as health chiefs apologise

9:04am Tuesday 5th June 2007

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HUNDREDS of North Yorkshire couples left desperately waiting for IVF treatment have been sent letters apologising for the delay.

North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) has suspended in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other procedures which help couples to have a baby.

IVF has only been available for exceptional cases since January this year. It is not up for review again until next April - which has left about 300 North Yorkshire couples waiting an extra year to get the treatment.

Dr Janet Soo-Chung, the PCT's chief executive, has written to GPs, consultants and patients on the waiting list outlining the position.

In her letter to patients, she said: "Although you have been on the waiting list for some time your treatment may be delayed for at least a year and it is not possible to predict exactly when you will be offered your treatment.

"I am sorry the financial position of the PCT has necessitated this action and fully appreciate the difficulties and concern this entails."

Donna Hartley, 32, of Clifton, York, has been told IVF is her only option for having a longed-for child with partner Eliott.

Donna, who is not yet on the waiting list, said: "I suppose this shows they've taken note of the amount of people who've been affected by this. It doesn't really do much to help anyone. It's all right saying they're sorry, but sorry doesn't go a long way when you want a baby and you want IVF."

The PCT's restriction includes couples waiting for ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection), IUI (Intra Uterine Insemination), ED (Egg Donation), DI (Donor Sperm Insemination) and the IVF component of surrogacy.

GPs can send patients they feel are exceptional candidates for IVF to the PCT's Prior Approval Panel For Exceptional Cases, which The Press is calling to be scrapped in our Let Your Doctor Decide Campaign.