AQW 462/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health when his Department will begin the 3 free cycles of IVF.
Asked by Kellie Armstrong MLA on 17 January 2020
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 17 January 2020
- Answer due by
- 3 February 2020
- Answered
- 4 February 202018 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
I am pleased that the New Decade, New Approach Agreement committed to providing 3 funded IVF cycles for eligible women.
The Regional Fertility Centre does not currently have the capacity to meet the demand for treatment arising from offering 3 cycles of IVF to all eligible women, as there are not enough trained staff to carry out the procedures, nor is there enough space at the premises to facilitate a higher number of patients.
My officials are currently giving urgent consideration to how this issue can be taken forward and as such I am unable to give a definitive implementation date at this stage.