From today, couples are able to avail of publicly-funded fertility treatment.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has announced the news that patients are now being referred through Regional Fertility Hubs for publicly-funded AHR (assisted human reproduction) treatment.
Patients that are eligible will be entitled to one full cycle of IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) or ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) treatment, carried out in a HSE-approved private clinic of their choice.
A certain cohort of patients will have up to three episodes of IUI (intrauterine insemination) made available to them.
In order to access free IVF, ICSI or IUI treatment, patients must meet certain criteria which includes being in a relationship with your partner for over a year, have no children already, be under the age of 40 if you’re a woman; under 59 if you’re a man and must have the BMI of between 18.5 and 30 if you’re a woman, among other specifications.
The beginning of this tree treatment comes under the Programme for Government commitment to provide a publicly-funded model of care for fertility treatment.
Patients referred by their GP to one of six specific Regional Fertility Hubs, whose fertility issues cannot be managed at a low level of intervention, are now being referred for AHR treatment in private clinics.
Speaking about the commencement of the state-funded treatment today, Minister Donnelly stated, “Today marks a very important step on our journey to fully publicly-funded AHR treatment and represents a major development in the provision of women’s health services in this state”.
“I appreciate the challenges faced by people who wish to start a family but are unable to do so without clinical assistance”.
The Minister added, “Cost should not be a barrier to accessing clinical intervention, so I’m very pleased that from today, publicly-funded AHR treatment will give thousands of people an opportunity fulfil their hopes of becoming parents”.
The HSE is advising people who are experiencing fertility issues to contact their GP as the first step. If further treatment is required, they may be referred to their local Regional Fertility Hubs. These hubs are located at National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Galway University Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital and Nenagh General Hospital as part of Limerick University Maternity Hospital.
These fertility services are beginning on a structured and phased basis and don’t include treatments involving the use of donated gametes (sperm and eggs) for heterosexual or same-sex couples or single female patients.
Once regulatory and clinical issues are addressed, Minister Donnelly said this treatment will be made available as soon as possible in the upcoming Assisted Human Reproduction Bill.
Donnelly revealed, “We have come a long way in a very short space of time in respect of publicly-funded fertility services in Ireland, and I’m committed to building on this progress to provide an equitable fully-funded service that supports the healthcare needs of people who face difficulties in creating a family”.
“Work is ongoing on the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill which will improve access to AHR treatments and embed safe and appropriate clinical practice. We are also working towards another significant milestone next year with the launch of the first public National AHR Centre”.
