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Berkshire couple move 200 miles for IVF treatment Berkshire couple move 200 miles for IVF treatment
(about 2 hours later)
A couple are moving more than 200 miles from their home to boost their chances of having a child.A couple are moving more than 200 miles from their home to boost their chances of having a child.
Craig and Anne-Marie Minter are leaving their Berkshire home for Greater Manchester because NHS services there offer more cycles of IVF treatment. Craig and Anne-Marie Minter are leaving Berkshire for Greater Manchester because NHS services there offer more cycles of IVF treatment.
Mrs Minter said she was "disappointed" local health services could not provide the same amount of treatment as others.Mrs Minter said she was "disappointed" local health services could not provide the same amount of treatment as others.
Clinical commissioning groups in the Thames Valley currently offer one cycle of IVF, compared to three in Bury.Clinical commissioning groups in the Thames Valley currently offer one cycle of IVF, compared to three in Bury.
Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said its offer of one IVF cycle per couple allowed "more couples to receive the treatment".Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said its offer of one IVF cycle per couple allowed "more couples to receive the treatment".
Mr and Mrs Minter, from Thatcham, said they decided to look at other parts of the country for IVF treatment after learning of the disparity in cycles.Mr and Mrs Minter, from Thatcham, said they decided to look at other parts of the country for IVF treatment after learning of the disparity in cycles.
Having tried for four years to conceive, Mrs Minter, 33, said having a baby "would mean the world and complete the family".Having tried for four years to conceive, Mrs Minter, 33, said having a baby "would mean the world and complete the family".
Mr Minter, 34, added: "We understand if it [the treatment] doesn't work but we really want a chance at it."Mr Minter, 34, added: "We understand if it [the treatment] doesn't work but we really want a chance at it."
The couple, who move north at the end of July, have been able to keep their current jobs by being allowed to work from home and to transfer branches.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
Source: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority/Fertility Network UKSource: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority/Fertility Network UK
Sarah Norcross, co-chair of campaign group Fertility Fairness, said a so-called "postcode lottery" of IVF access was "rife across England".Sarah Norcross, co-chair of campaign group Fertility Fairness, said a so-called "postcode lottery" of IVF access was "rife across England".
She added: "We are just about to celebrate 70 years of the NHS and 40 years of IVF in the UK, and for it to come to this where people are having to move house to access treatment is really appalling and shocking."She added: "We are just about to celebrate 70 years of the NHS and 40 years of IVF in the UK, and for it to come to this where people are having to move house to access treatment is really appalling and shocking."
In 2017, figures showed that only 12% of CCGs in England were meeting the guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence stating women under 40 who have failed to get pregnant after two years of trying should be offered three full cycles of IVF on the NHS.In 2017, figures showed that only 12% of CCGs in England were meeting the guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence stating women under 40 who have failed to get pregnant after two years of trying should be offered three full cycles of IVF on the NHS.
A Berkshire West CCG spokesperson said it "has a legal duty to provide health services for all patients across west Berkshire within the budget allocated".A Berkshire West CCG spokesperson said it "has a legal duty to provide health services for all patients across west Berkshire within the budget allocated".
"The CCGs within the Thames Valley have come together to develop a common policy to manage this.""The CCGs within the Thames Valley have come together to develop a common policy to manage this."