On 15 April all UK clinics providing fertility treatments closed, with many appointments leading up this date cancelled. This is an unprecedented measure reflecting unprecedented times.
Although necessary, this closure will undoubtedly mean thousands face extremely devastating times ahead. For some it may mean the premature and heart-breaking end to their Parenthood journey as they miss their window of opportunity for a successful conception. For others it may mean a period of anxiety and stress as they wait to see whether they can resume treatment and when. It is imperative that, where possible, steps are taken to minimise the real impacts on those affected, so that people’s wellbeing, relationships and futures can be protected.
COSRT therefore calls for all stakeholders, including Clinical Commissioning Groups, to temporarily relax age limits on fertility treatments where those who have been affected find themselves outside the age limit guidelines. Such a move may help guard against those in the older age group being unnecessarily disadvantaged and denied their chance to become parents at this time.
COSRT also calls for free, specialist emotional and psychological support to be made available to all who need it. Bodies including Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS Trusts and private clinics should work with charities and therapy providers to provide coherent support across the country, avoiding any unevenness across geographical boundaries.
These measures can have a real impact on people’s lives and experiences. Fertility treatment is often intensely private and deeply painful with the impacts and outcomes hidden. Anything that can be done to reduce the burden people face at this time must be done to make treatment easily accessible and flexible at this time.
John Dodd, Chief Executive,
COSRT