IVF on NHS

“Totally agree with demonica666 well said, how ridiculous pig ignorant comments are form others, especially when we are wasting money on the drug users that have choices!”

“I am a mum of two - both now men....and I can honestly say that giving birth and raising my sons was and remains without doubt the most wonderful thing I have ever done in my life. I was lucky in that I conceived naturally...but I believe that every woman and every man deserves the right to be a parent if they so choose. I am unsure why ppl are saying having children is a lifestyle choice...I believe it is a fundamental choice. I understand the economics and perhaps there could be some kind of sliding scale by which the recipients of the IVF pay towards the procedure if they are able. To deny anyone...who through a medical issue is unable to conceive naturally...the right to have a child of their own is in my opinion disgraceful and cruel.”

“If drug/alcohol cases aren't treated they end up costing more.

I'm sorry that you aren't eligible. In my view it is those who are eligible that are really lucky that we consider it a treatment that the NHS should pay for, rather than those not eligible being badly treated.”

“I totally agree with some of what you have put demonica. And I do what my own child/children pluss I want to adopt. Always have done. And I agree with Becky people obviously don't know what we are getting at because they haven't been in the situation. Every one who I have spoke to about this have agreed with me. This wasn't meant to start an argument it was to put my view across. Thank you for your replies.”

“I dont believe unless you have been in the situation where you are told IVF is the option you fully understand how this affects you both as a couple and finacially. I was lucky enough to have my IVF funded by the NHS. There is no guarentee that it will work first time meaning that if you do have to fund it your self the cost can run into thousands of pounds, i know very few people that have money like this at there disposal evan if you do as we do both worked full time. I was one of the lucky ones i appreciate being a parent every day - something a vast majority of people take for granted. The comment made by 'foxache' i find offensive - to be a parent is not all about money its simply about love and guidance both these things are free.”

“As a woman in a long-term (20+) year relationship, I can see both sides of the story. I have no children. Never wanted them, never had a yearning and have never regretted it. I really believe that having a child is not every woman's right. 5yrs from now, if I suddenly had a yearning for children, I would hope to foster or adopt. There are hundreds of children in Yorkshire alone, who need loving homes but the selfish gene (no offence meant here) dictates that people want their OWN children.

Put simply, alcoholics, drug addicts etc put a tremendous strain on the country financially and without treatment they will die. The NHS is obliged to care for these people because they have a duty of care to uphold life. People who cannot have children will not have a negative financial impact on the community nor die if they do not receive IVF. That's a simple fact, a hard fact and a difficult one to accept but if your relative was refused treatment due to a substance abuse problem, would you be happy? The NHS is in a no win situation with too many people demanding too much from it. Therefore guidelines for treatment must be drawn up. The policy for IVF may appear flawed and unfair but care providers simply cannot give everyone everything they ask for. We all have our own problems and sometimes we believe that our problems are more important than anyone else's but the simple fact of it is, if you have step children, you have children. These children not being genetically linked to you personally, is immaterial. You have the opportunity to love, care and be a positive role model for the next generation; whether they inherit your foibles or not! I really can empathise with posters on both side of the divide, but I'm on the side of logic here. OK, it may sound unemotional but it is my view.”

“Listen here love just because some of us Can't afford ivf, dosnt mean we carnt afford to bring up a child. What child do you know who costs 6000 in a few weeks. And how would you end up paying for it I work full time and have done since school and so has my partner. As for cancer treatment they have a shortage of prostate treatment. Reason being is it costs 35000 per treatment. So if you see it like that then why can we have eye tests, dentist, mole and wary treatment. Etc I could go on all day all on the nhs all of these are not life freataning. (which I'm sure you will take advantage of yourself. And my opinion in the first place was nothing to do with any of this. I simply said " I don't understand WHY couples without children can have the treatment on nhs,,, when WOMEN with a partner who has a child even though this child has nothing to do with this women can't have it " So sorry if my views affended any one but that's just my view.”

“I was in the same situation. My wife had a child from a previous relationship but due to a condition she has which gets steadily worse we needed help. The NHS said they could not provide IVF due to my wife having a child already. Basically they were telling me if I wanted children of my own then I need to find someone who can have children. Luckily my wife conceived just before we were due to pay for our first consultation. At the time, the country was doing well and we weren't in recession so the economic downturn couldn't be used as an excuse. When treatment is given free to drug abusers etc it is a kick in the teeth. What's even more annoying is that you can get a sex change on the NHS for free. Now you tell me whether that is fair!”

“Having a child is a lifestyle choice not a right.
It is obscene that ANY public money is being spent on frivolous treatment like this when people are dying because the NHS can't afford to for instance pay for cancer drugs.

If you can't afford to fund the IVF yourself, then presumably you can't afford to bring up the resultant children and I'll end up paying for them as well.”

“I know how this woman feels cause i was told the same thing so I'm in the same boat i'm male my partner has a child but i don't, I agree but what can you do? Nothing really apart from saving the money up yourself.”