Fertility Network UK wholeheartedly welcomes the announcement from the Scottish Government that the number of available NHS-funded IVF cycles will be increased from two to three from 1 April 2017, for all new referrals who meet the eligibility criteria – creating the gold standard for national fertility services.

Gwenda Burns, branch coordinator Fertility Network Scotland said: ‘This is wonderful news for both patients and campaigners: for the one in six couples in Scotland who face the devastation and heartbreak of fertility struggles it is a fantastic beacon of hope; for Fertility Network UK it is the news we have been working towards with the National Infertility Group, since the latter’s inception in 2010.’

‘Scotland has set the gold standard for national fertility services: not only has the Scottish Government recognised the far-reaching impact of fertility problems and accepted all the recommendations of Scotland’s National Infertility Group, it has also become the first country in the UK to follow national fertility recommendations fully.’

Susan Seenan, chief executive of leading patient fertility charity Fertility Network UK said: ‘Scotland stands head and shoulders above the rest of the UK in creating an equitable fertility service for patients: as well as eligible couples having access to 3 full NHS IVF cycles from 1 April 2017, couples where one partner has no biological child have, since September 2016, been able to access NHS fertility services.’

‘The Scottish government is to be applauded in recognising the clinical and cost-effectiveness of providing a fair for all NHS fertility service based on national clinical recommendations, yet in England the opposite is happening: 98 per cent of England’s clinical commissioning groups ration NHS IVF using unfair, arbitrary and non-medical criteria, such as postcode and whether one partner has a child from a previous relationship.’

‘That is why, on Saturday 25 March, fertility patients affected by unfair rationing of NHS fertility services will be taking action to promote fairness for fertility treatment – contacting their MP, creating a fertility funding Thunderclap and tweeting their support #therighttotry #IVFx3 #tellyourMP

The 3 things people can do to promote fairness for fertility treatment are:

1. tell your MP: inform them of your situation and what is happening in your area; a template letter is on our website at http://fnuk.wpengine.com/action/ and MP’s contacts details are available at https://www.theyworkforyou.com/

2. tweet your support and a pic using the hashtags #IVFx3 #tellyourMP #therighttotry

3. help create a fertility funding Thunderclap – a social media message sent collectively – on Facebook, Twitter and tumblr on Saturday 25 March at 3pm. Register your support for the Thunderclap at https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/52716-the-right-to-try-campaign