Weather Tonight: 10°c Heavy rain Morning: 12°c Sunny spells

News

HEADLINES:

IVF clinics must show full cost of treatment

Sophie Goodchild, Health Editor
07.07.09

IVF clinics are facing a shake-up over how much they charge for fertility treatment.

Every patient must now be given a full price plan under new guidelines issued today by the fertility watchdog.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority says clinics have to provide a fully costed treatment plan before couples have even started IVF.

Their new code of practice also requires fertility doctors to update and amend these plans if the price changes at any time. The average cost of IVF treatment is £3,500 but this does not include the price for fertility drugs which can increase a bill by hundreds of pounds.

Most IVF treatment is private because the NHS only funds a limited number of cycles.

HFEA chair Professor Lisa Jardine said: “With the majority of people in the UK funding their own treatment, cost is a major concern. The changes will help ensure that patients know upfront exactly how expensive their treatment will be.”

In another change, selecting the sex of an IVF baby for non-medical or “social” reasons will be officially banned.

Reader views (1)

 Add your view

please see the the third paragrpah of the link below to see how to get well for free >

http://beware-of-the-fertility-industry.blogspot.com

- Stella, London UK


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 

Don't Miss

Soho lowlife's fury at Colony Room benefit

The Colony Room Club, Soho's 60-year-old louche establishment once frequented by Francis Bacon and Dylan Thomas, shut its doors at the end of last year prompting a furious backlash. Now the bitter war of words is set to become even more acrimonious

All stories


Promotions

Environmental initiatives

Find out how you can help to meet the challenges of climate change in London.


The Open University

Every year The Open University helps thousands of professionals progress in their careers.


Win the Best Seats

In London theatre when you vote for your favourite celebrity spec wearer.


Breast Cancer Care

Donate £1 and leave a message of support for a loved one in the Swarovski Garden of Wishes.


Win an iPodTouch

With Courvoisier when you share your thoughts on this week's cocktail.