Couples needing infertility treatment in Scotland will be guaranteed two full treatments from 1st July this year.

The move will standardise treatment across the country, as different areas currently have individual criteria for assessment for IVF treatment.

Restrictions being put into place for couples to be able to access the 2 cycles treatment will include demonstration of a stable relationship, the woman will need to be under 40 and neither of the partners can non smoking couples (in the 3 months prior treatment) or be obese.

Women aged between 40 -42 will be eligible for 1 treatment if they have had no previous IVF cyles.

Michael Matheson (Public Health minister for Scotland) said that there needs to be 'equity of access and a fairness within the system'.

Mr Matheson explained: "For the first time NHS provision of IVF will not vary, regardless of where you live.

"All patients in Scotland will have access to a more generous and fairer service than elsewhere in UK.

"We are investing £12m over three years to help drive down waiting times for IVF treatments, and waiting times are already reducing in a number of NHS board areas.

"We also have to be responsible about the effects of smoking and obesity on pregnancy and beyond. Smoking not only reduces the effectiveness of IVF, but also doubles the risk of pregnancy loss.

Some couples may be at a disadvantage however as some areas currently provide more than 2 treatmenst and a 12 month waiting time guarantee wouldn't come into force until the Spring of 2015.

References:

BBC News

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22541801

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-22538518

For further IVF Articles see www.embryonews.co.uk

http://www.embryonews.co.uk

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