- End of outdated law which requires same-sex couples to pay up
to £1,000 for safety screening when accessing fertility treatment
- Same sex couples with non-transmissible HIV will also be able
to undertake IVF in UK-licensed clinics, ensuring equality for
those living with HIV
- Government continues to deliver more accessible fertility
services and improve opportunities for same-sex couples
Hundreds of couples hoping to become parents but going through
the distress of fertility issues will have their chances
improved, as the government announces two significant law changes
to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) provision in the UK.
Currently, female same-sex couples hoping to conceive via
reciprocal IVF must first go through screening for infectious
diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or rubella. This
screening can cost up to £1,000 whereas under current rules,
heterosexual couples do not need to undergo this screening.
The government is scrapping this outdated law to ensure female
same-sex couples have the same rights as a man and woman when
trying to conceive.
The law will also change to cover same sex couples so that
where one or both partners have HIV but have an
undetectable viral load (meaning the level of HIV virus in the
body is low enough to not be detected by a test), they can now
access IVF treatment. This will also include known sperm or egg
cell donation to friends or relatives.
Health Minister said:
“Millions of couples dream of the joy of parenthood and
bringing life into the world. But for many, that joy turns to
unimaginable pain as they experience the distress of fertility
issues.
“That’s why we’re changing the law, so it works for everyone
and supports as many people as possible to
conceive.
“Our flagship Women's Health Strategy is committed to
improving access to IVF and we’ll continue working to ensure as
many people as possible can access this vital support.”
Dr Catherine Hill, Fertility Network UK’s Head of Policy
& Public Affairs said:
“As the national charity, Fertility Network UK welcomes this
change in fertility legislation which will remove an inequality
between how women in same-sex couples are treated when donating
an egg to their partner as part of reciprocal IVF, and how
heterosexual couples undergoing fertility treatment are
treated.
“This legislative change, when enacted, will also be a step
forward in removing the massive financial barriers facing female
same-sex couples hoping to become parents via fertility
services.”
The move will benefit hundreds of couples, including same sex
male couples in a surrogacy, female same-sex couples planning
shared motherhood, and those seeking known donation from a friend
or relative with HIV.
The Minister for Women’s Health, , announced the government’s
intention to change these laws during a general debate on IVF
provision in Westminster Hall.
The government also recently announced moves to ensure
greater IVF transparency in England through an
accessible new tool on GOV.UK to allow people to look up
information about NHS-funded IVF treatment in
their area.
