'˜You can't put a cost on a life' - calls for re-think on cutting IVF for Peterborough parents

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is set to stop commissioning specialist fertility services other than for patients undergoing cancer treatment and men who have a chronic viral infection.

The move will save £700,000 a year as the CCG looks to tackle a huge £45 million deficit in 2017/18.

But city councillors on Tuesday night pleaded for an IVF re-think. Cllr Lucia Serluca told CCG chiefs: “This is something close to my heart. As far as I’m concerned I would never support this whatsoever, never in a million years.”

Cllr Brian Rush said: “This will be a devastating blow for those that can’t conceive their own child.” Cllr John Fox said: “You can’t put a cost on a life.”

However, Cllr June Bull said: “You really are between a rock and a hard place. It’s a hard judgement call.”

Dr Richard Spiers, clinical lead for policies at the CCG, admitted IVF was value for money, but said: “This is a horribly difficult call but we feel this is something we have to do. There is no fat left [to trim].”

Jessica Bawden, CCG girector of corporate affairs, said health funding was not keeping up with demand.

Approximately 200 people in Cambridgeshire had IVF in 2015/16. Susan Seenan, chief executive of fertility charity Fertility Network UK, said the CCG is “failing fertility patients” and that parents who cannot conceive face a high risk of depression.

Judith Smith, group operations manager at CARE Fertility in Peterborough, acknowledged the CCG’s difficult position.

She said: “We would welcome a national strategy for fertility funding rather than the current local provision which is defined by postcode.”

A consultation on the proposal runs until 5pm on June 12. Residents can give their views on May 15 from 2-3pm and 6-7pm at The Fleet, Fleet Way, Fletton or fill out a form at www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk/.