FAQ’S
What is IVF?
IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilisation. In IVF, the process of fertilisation happens outside of a
woman’s body. Eggs are surgically removed and fertilised in a laboratory using sperm that
has been given as a sperm sample. Next, the fertilized egg, called an embryo, is surgically
implanted into the woman’s womb. Typically one cycle of IVF takes between four and seven
weeks. To find out more about IVF treatment, please visit the Human Fertilisation and
Embryology Authority website.
What is Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)?
Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection is an in vitro fertilisation procedure in which a single sperm
is injected directly into an egg.
What is Donor Insemination (DI)
Donor insemination is the process of becoming pregnant through donated sperm.
What is currently available?
At present, women living in Bedfordshire age 23-40 are offered three full cycles of IVF where
they have experienced three years of unexplained infertility.
What is meant by unexplained fertility?
Unexplained infertility is the amount of time that a couple has been trying, unsuccessfully, to
become pregnant. Where there is a diagnosed cause of infertility, no waiting period applies.
The timescale during the unexplained infertility waiting time allows access to assessments
and investigations.
Why is the CCG reviewing its policy?
On 1 April 2013, clinical commissioning groups assumed responsibility for the planning and
purchasing of fertility services including IVF services for people in their area. Shortly before
this, in February 2013, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) published
updated clinical guidance on Specialist Fertility Services, including IVF.
Both of these significant changes prompted the CCG to review its current policy on
Specialist Fertility Services.
Do CCGs have to follow NICE guidance?
NICE provides various types of national guidance on promoting good health and preventing
and treating ill health. The fertility guidance referred to within this report is one that provides
recommendations about the treatment and care of fertility. This type of guidance is not
mandatory for commissioners to follow and fund its recommendations.
Does this consultation include all fertility interventions?
This consultation concerns specialist fertility treatments including intro vitro fertilisation (IVF),
intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and donor insemination (DI).
This consultation does not include intrauterine insemination, gamete storage and others
funded through individual request route currently or exceptional funding.
What does the research say about the success of number of cycles?
Several key studies were used as the scientific basis for these proposals. Overall, the results
show that the chances of live birth decrease with an increase in the number of previous
failed IVF attempts, meaning the chances of successful IVF treatment are lower on the third
cycle. For the first cycle of IVF, the chances of live birth are 1 in 4 and decrease to 1 in 5 for
two to four cycles.
How successful is IVF?
The success rate of IVF depends on the age of the woman undergoing treatment as well as
the cause of the infertility (if it's known). Younger women are more likely to have healthier
eggs, which increases the chances of success.
IVF isn't usually recommended for women above the age of 42 because the chances of a
successful pregnancy.
Outcome
statistics/Provider
Fresh/Frozen
Under 35 years
35-37
38-39
National Average
Fresh
Frozen
Fresh
Frozen
Fresh
Frozen
Fresh
Frozen
Fresh
Frozen
Fresh
Frozen
32.1
21.5
33.9
18.8
32.3
12.4
32.5
23.8
36.3
28.8
23.7
5.6
27.2
20.1
23.0
31.3
26.1
10.2
29.4
35.7
27.0
23.2
27.1
7.3
20.6
17.9
17.0
29.7
21.1
12.7
20.2
18.8
22.6
34.5
12.8
33.3
Barts and London
NHS Trust
Bourn Hall Clinic
(Cambridge)
Imperial College
Healthcare NHS Trust
Oxford Fertility Unit
University Hospitals
of Leicester
40-42 (not
currently NHS
funded)
13.2
13.6
11.0
10.0
8.5
3.4
16.1
25.0
16.3
20.8
13.2
0.0
What is the national provision for number of cycles?
In 2011, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infertility produced a report into NHS IVF
provision and found that the number of cycles of IVF provided by PCTs averaged at 1.8
nationally. They reported that 39% of PCTs only offered 1 cycle of treatment, 26% offered 2
and 27% offered 3 cycles. The rest 8% of PCTs did not offer any cycle or status was
unknown.
In summary, 73% of PCTs were offering less than the 3 cycles recommended by NICE
guidance. PCTs in the EoE were one of the very few PCTs in the country that offered three
cycles.
How many people living in Bedfordshire have benefited from IVF?
Between 2010 and 2013, BCCG and previously Bedfordshire PCT, commissioned an
average of 243 cycles of IVF.
What is the cost of a cycle of IVF?
Each full cycle of IVF costs, on average, just over £3,000.
What is the decision making process?
Right now, Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group is inviting people from across
Bedfordshire to share their views on proposed changes to IVF services in the area. The
process has reached this stage following a policy review. This process has already passed
through a number of policy development stages which all policy reviews are subjected to
including identification, research, evidence search, scrutiny of evidence, activity and impact
assessment, clinical consultation and equality impact assessment.
What if I lived somewhere else?
Nationally, clinical commissioning groups are in the process of reviewing their policy on
Specialist Fertility Services. Bedfordshire CCG is concerned with gathering the views of
Bedfordshire residents, GPs and clinicians.
What if I am currently receiving IVF?
These proposals do not affect people currently going through IVF treatment. When the new
policy is approved by the BCCG Governing Body, anyone beginning IVF on or after the
implementation date will do so in accordance with the new policy.
What if the fertility intervention I need is not covered within the policy?
Those patients who do not meet the access criteria can appeal to commissioning bodies for
funding under Individual Funding Request scheme. These are mainly for intrauterine
insemination, donor insemination, egg and sperm storage for patients undergoing cancer
treatments, surgical sperm extraction, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
Is there other eligibility criteria
Other existing eligibility criteria including BMI, smoking status, existing children will be
retained. This can be seen online under: Current EoE criteria for IVF
Further Information
Please note that the following documents are available for you to view online at:
www.bedfordshireccg.nhs.uk.



Current East of England Criteria for IVF
NICE Fertility Guidance (CG156)
Specialist Fertility Treatments: A discussion paper for East of England Clinical
Commissioning Groups
If you would like these documents in hard copy, please contact us on:
[email protected] or telephone: 01525 864405