ENGAGEMENT FOR LOCAL
IVF SERVICES IN SWINDON
& SHRIVENHAM
This public engagement will run from Monday 16 January 2017 to
Friday 17 February 2017
If you require this document in an alternative format please contact us by
email [email protected] or phone 01793 683700.
Our Mission: To Optimise the Health and Well Being of the People of Swindon and Shrivenham
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Introduction
When people living in Swindon and Shrivenham have problems with infertility the local Clinical
Commissioning Group (CCG) has provided funding for infertility treatment services (such as
IVF) to help women become pregnant.
In-vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a high-cost treatment and the CCG is required to ensure that we
balance the funding for this treatment alongside many other cost pressures in our local NHS.
What is happening?
NHS Swindon CCG is proposing changes to its current IVF policy and is keen to explain to
the public why we are doing this. We are committed to seeking the views of local people, to
understand any potential impact the proposed changes may have.
Why is this happening now?
a) For a number of years Swindon CCG has aligned its fertility policy with the guidance
produced by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE).The most
recent NICE update of the Clinical Guideline (CG) ‘Fertility: assessment and treatment
for people with fertility problems’, was released in February 2013 and the current
Swindon CCG policy ‘Assisted conception’ (October 2012) needs to be reviewed in
the light of these recommendations.
b) Currently, Swindon CCG offers more IVF cycles compared to Wiltshire and Bath and
North East Somerset (BaNES) CCGs. The policy review needs to consider the
Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) work programme with a view in
potentially agreeing the same criteria and provision of services for assisted
reproduction services for infertile couples across Swindon, Wiltshire and BaNES
CCGs (both these CCGs reviewed and amended their policies in 2016). However, it is
acknowledged that some differences presently remain in the current polices and
Wiltshire and BaNES do not plan to amend or align their policies at this time, pending
a more substantial planned review within 2017/18.
Who will this affect?




People in Swindon and Shrivenham who may wish to access specialist fertility services
GPs who need to refer them for treatment
Hospital consultants to whom they are referred for treatment
Providers of IVF services
Our Mission: To Optimise the Health and Well Being of the People of Swindon and Shrivenham
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NHS Funding for IVF treatment
CCGs are allocated an annual NHS budget which is used to commission (buy) a wide range
of health services and treatments for its local population, in accordance with local health care
needs.
Swindon CCG has provided funding for IVF treatment for local people but this must be
balanced against funding requirements for many other necessary local health services and
treatment (such as emergency care services, treatment for long-term conditions, community
nurses, surgical operations etc.)
From April 2015 to March 2016 Swindon CCG funded IVF treatment for 135 women and the
cost to the NHS for Swindon and Shrivenham residents has been £449,780.
What is the current IVF policy for the CCG?


Swindon CCG’s current IVF Access Criteria is available here.
The latest NICE guideline, a non-binding recommendation, is available at
www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG156
The change the CCG is proposing to the current IVF policy is in relation to the availability of
fresh and frozen cycles:
Availability of fresh
cycles and frozen
cycles
2013 NICE
guidance
Full fresh cycle and
all subsequent
frozen cycles
Current Swindon
CCG IVF Policy
Three fresh cycles
(and frozen cycles
where available
from the fresh
cycle), maximum
six embryo
transfers
Proposed Swindon
CCG IVF Policy
One fresh cycle with
a maximum two
frozen embryo
transfers
To note: Of the CCGs offering IVF to patients, 125 CCGs fund one cycle of treatment. 46 CCGs fund two
cycles of treatment and only 34 CCGs fund three cycles. 4 CCGs do not fund any treatment whatsoever. 1
The proposed change would bring Swindon CCG’s IVF policy in-line with Wiltshire CCGs
policy in relation the availability of fresh and frozen cycles.
Seeking your views
We are undertaking a period of engagement to gather views on reducing the number of IVF
cycles funded (as above) with local people, their representatives, GPs and interest groups.
Responses must be received by 5pm on Friday 17 February, 2017.
1
http://www.fertilityfairness.co.uk/nhs-fertility-services/ivf-provision-in-england/
Our Mission: To Optimise the Health and Well Being of the People of Swindon and Shrivenham
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How you can share your views
To make sure your voice is heard, you can share your views in the following ways:

Complete the online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VWN2MGH

Visit: http://www.swindonccg.nhs.uk/index.php/get-involved/ivf-services-in-swindon-andshrivenham

A paper version of the survey is also available by calling 01793 683700

Email us: [email protected]

Write to us at:
NHS Swindon CCG
Freepost
(Please mark on it: IVF engagement)
Engagement Meetings
Please come along to one of our public sessions to discuss your views with us and get your
questions answered. Details of the meetings will be available on the CCG’s website.
Further copies of this document are available from Swindon CCG. Please contact us by
email [email protected] or by phone 01793 683700.
We will only be able to consider feedback received by 5pm on Friday 17 February, 2017.
How will my views be considered?
All of the feedback will be evaluated by the CCG and a report will be provided for the
Governing Body to ensure members are made aware of the potential impact of the change
to the policy and all the responses.
The recommendation will be considered at the Governing Body meeting on Thursday 23
March 2017.
We will share the report with you and make sure it is available on our website. Please
remember to leave your contact details with us if you would like a copy.
We expect that the new IVF policy will be in place by 1 April 2017.
Our Mission: To Optimise the Health and Well Being of the People of Swindon and Shrivenham
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Frequently asked questions
Why are you doing this?
a) For a number of years Swindon CCG has aligned its fertility policy with the guidance
produced by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE).The most
recent NICE update of the Clinical Guideline (CG) ‘Fertility: assessment and
treatment for people with fertility problems’, was released in February 2013 and the
current Swindon CCG policy ‘Assisted conception’ (October 2012) needs to be
reviewed in the light of these recommendations.
b) Currently, Swindon CCG offers more IVF cycles compared to Wiltshire and Bath and
North East Somerset (BaNES) CCGs. The policy review needs to consider the
Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) work programme with a view in
potentially agreeing the same criteria and provision of services for assisted
reproduction services for infertile couples across Swindon, Wiltshire and BaNES
CCGs (both these CCGs reviewed and amended their policies in 2016). However, it
is acknowledged that some differences presently remain in the current polices and
Wiltshire and Banes do not plan to amend or align their policies at this time, pending
a more substantial planned review within 2017/18.
Is this about post code lottery for funding IVF treatment?
Clinical Commissioning Groups across the country are allocated an annual NHS budget
which is used to commission (buy) a wide range of health services and treatments for
its local population, in accordance with local health care needs.
Each CCG has to ensure it stays within its budget and is duty bound not to exceed its
annual financial allocations. It is the decision of each CCG which services are brought
for its local population, this in-turn can lead to CCGs funding different services and
treatments.
How much does the CCG currently pay for its IVF treatment each year?
From April 2015 to March 2016 Swindon CCG funded IVF treatment for 135 women
and the cost to the NHS for Swindon and Shrivenham residents has been £449,780.
From April 2016 to end of December 2016 Swindon CCG has funded IVF treatment for
87 women and the costs to the NHS for Swindon and Shrivenham residents has been
£282,331.
How many people in Swindon had IVF treatment in 2015/16 which was funded
by the CCG
From April 2015 to March 2016 Swindon CCG funded IVF treatment for 135 women.
When would this revised policy be implemented from?
The revised policy would be implemented from 1 April 2017 for all new referrals for IVF
treatment.
Our Mission: To Optimise the Health and Well Being of the People of Swindon and Shrivenham
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What happens if I have already had approval for my IVF treatment – does this
mean I will longer get it?
If you have had approval from the CCG for IVF treatment prior to 1 April 2017 you will
have your treatment under the current policy.
You have said you are also doing this to align it with the other two CCGs in your
STP footprint – B&NES and Wiltshire, does this mean you will now all have the
same IVF policy?
This review is part of the STP workstream – ‘Demand Management’ with an aim to
achieve a consistent approach across the STP to referral management, and alignment
of clinical commissioning policies and processes. However, it is acknowledged that
some differences presently remain in the current policies and Wiltshire and BaNES do
not plan to amend or align their policies at this time, pending a more substantial
planned review during 2017/18.
The new policy does align the Swindon CCG provision of fresh cycles with both
Wiltshire and BaNES CCGs, reducing variation in access to services across the STP
footprint.
Our Mission: To Optimise the Health and Well Being of the People of Swindon and Shrivenham
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Engagement for local IVF services in Swindon & Shrivenham survey

The easiest way to provide your views is to complete an online survey available from
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VWN2MGH

Alternatively, please complete the following pages and return them to:
NHS Swindon CCG
Freepost details
(Please mark on it: IVF engagement)
Responses must be received by 5pm on Friday 17 February, 2017.
This is an anonymous survey and in the engagement report no answers or quotes will be
attributed to any individuals.
Questions (please tick only one answer
for each)
Q1: Do you think funding for IVF is a
priority for the NHS?
Any further comments:
Yes
No
Don’t know
Q2: Do you support our proposal to
reduce the number of IVF cycles offered,
Any further comments:
From
 Three fresh cycles (and frozen
cycles where available from the
fresh cycle), maximum of six
embryo transfers
To
 One fresh cycle with a maximum of
two frozen embryo transfers
Yes
No
Don’t know
Our Mission: To Optimise the Health and Well Being of the People of Swindon and Shrivenham
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About you…
Q3: Are you responding as:
A member of the public
A GP practicing in Swindon /
Shrivenham
A non-clinical person working in the
NHS in Swindon / Shrivenham
A representative for an organisation
- please specify which one:
________________________________
Q4: How old are you?
22 years or younger
23 to 39 years old
40 to 49 years old
50 years or over
Q5: Please indicate your gender
I am male
I am female
I prefer not to say
Q6: Please indicate your sexual orientation
I am heterosexual/straight
I am a gay woman/lesbian
I am a gay man
I am bisexual
I prefer not to say
Q7: Please indicate your ethnic origin
White British
White – non British
Chinese
Black or Black British
Asian or Asian British
Our Mission: To Optimise the Health and Well Being of the People of Swindon and Shrivenham
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If you would like to receive a copy of the report posted to you or via email please provide
your details below:
(Please print)
________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey and sharing your views with us.
_____________________________________________________________________
Glossary of terms
Abbreviatio
n
CCG
IVF
NICE
STP
Description
Website
Clinical Commissioning
Group
In-vitro fertilisation
http://www.swindonccg.nhs.uk/
National Institute for
Clinical Excellence
Sustainability and
Transformation Plan
https://www.nice.org.uk/
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/IVF/Pages/Int
roduction.aspx
http://www.swindonccg.nhs.uk/index.php/c
cg-news/your-health-news/214-b-nesswindon-and-wiltshire-sustainabilitytransformation-plan-published
Our Mission: To Optimise the Health and Well Being of the People of Swindon and Shrivenham
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