Scotland is launching a national review of its fertility services to examine whether access to NHS-funded IVF treatment should be extended to single women and couples who already have children from previous relationships. The Scottish Government announced the review on Monday, marking a significant shift in how the health service plans to fund and deliver these treatments moving forward.
Updating access criteria
The review will assess how fertility services can better reflect modern family structures while ensuring access remains fair and consistent across the country. Officials also plan to explore ways to improve access to fertility preservation services, particularly for women who have undergone cancer treatment, and reduce waiting times for patients who require donor eggs or sperm.
Scotland currently offers the most full nationwide NHS IVF provision in the UK. Eligible patients can access up to three full cycles of IVF treatment through the NHS, subject to existing eligibility criteria.
As part of the review, ministers will also consider updated clinical guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The revised recommendations suggest patients who have not achieved a successful pregnancy after three IVF cycles could benefit from up to three additional NHS-funded treatment cycles. NICE guidance currently advises against routine funding for a fourth cycle, but the Scottish review may override this standard.
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Healthcare leaders and fertility specialists will be watching closely as the review progresses, with any future changes potentially broadening access to treatment and addressing long-standing concerns around equity, consistency and waiting times. The Scottish Health Secretary Angela Constance said the move forms part of the government’s commitment to reviewing how fertility services are delivered and ensuring they meet the needs of patients across Scotland.
Constance stated that “access to NHS IVF treatment should be fair, timely and reflect the way people’s lives and families look today.” She added that delivering this review is one of the government’s key 100 day commitments. The minister noted that the work builds on annual Scottish Government funding, which has supported the expansion of NHS IVF treatment over the past ten years.
Extending IVF access to single women or parents with existing children is a complex policy decision that balances finite NHS resources against the changing demographics of family formation. In England, for instance, funding is restricted to heterosexual couples under 40 who have not yet had a child, creating a distinct disparity in support between the two nations.
