IVF
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of expanding NHS IVF funding criteria to cover individuals whose infertility results directly from medically necessary procedures, such as hysterectomy.
Answered by Karin Smyth
No recent assessments have been undertaken by the Department.
Funding decisions for health services in England are made by integrated care boards (ICBs) and are based on the clinical needs of their local population. We expect these organisations to commission fertility services in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, ensuring equal access to fertility treatment across England.
NICE is currently reviewing the fertility guideline and will consider whether its current recommendations for access to National Health Service-funded treatment are still appropriate. The draft guidance was consulted on between 10 September and 21 October 2025, and final guidance is expected to be published in March 2026. We expect ICBs to consider and reflect the updated NICE fertility guideline in their commissioning decisions when it is published, and we are working with NHS England to support greater consistency in provision.
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