Should IVF be on the NHS?
Discussion
Just been on the news about a couple on being allowed one treatment even though they are allowed three.
What are your views on IVF on the NHS?
Personlly I see this as a luxury rather than a necessity which is what I though the NHS was their for.
Please don't move this to Health Matters, it is more a political one than health one.
What are your views on IVF on the NHS?
Personlly I see this as a luxury rather than a necessity which is what I though the NHS was their for.
Please don't move this to Health Matters, it is more a political one than health one.
Groober said:
No I agree with you. Having kids is not essential, plus there is adoption if you want one that badly.
You don't have children, do you?Or
You don't know what it's like to not be able to have children, do you?
Just thought I'd cover those bases before someone seriously uses those two arguments. I agree with you, anyway.
Then again, isn't it my right as a single man to have kids if I want to? Why can't I have kids? I'm going to claim damages!
Edited by ShadownINja on Thursday 6th August 13:23
IMO,
It is not your right as such, but reasonable efforts should be made by the NHS. For many people a life without children is not one worth living. For the £15,000 or so it takes to have a bash at IVF I think this represents fairly good value for the NHS in terms of the quality of life increase that will be given to the parents. Bearing in mind the tens of thousands we piss away on the self-inflicted.
It's also worth bearing in mind that rising infertility has been linked to environmental factors like pollution. So surely, in the greater scheme of things, a society that made you infertile should give you at least 1 attempt at having a child using technology?
There are plenty of far more expensive and pointless treatments available on the NHS that get far less publicity.
It is not your right as such, but reasonable efforts should be made by the NHS. For many people a life without children is not one worth living. For the £15,000 or so it takes to have a bash at IVF I think this represents fairly good value for the NHS in terms of the quality of life increase that will be given to the parents. Bearing in mind the tens of thousands we piss away on the self-inflicted.
It's also worth bearing in mind that rising infertility has been linked to environmental factors like pollution. So surely, in the greater scheme of things, a society that made you infertile should give you at least 1 attempt at having a child using technology?
There are plenty of far more expensive and pointless treatments available on the NHS that get far less publicity.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I think one go should be available on the NHS, because while having children is not a right, not being able to have them is a horrible thing to be put through. A friend of mine has polycystic ovaries and won't be able to conceive without medical help in the future, it's not her fault, she's just been born this way. When she found out she was completely devasted as she loves children and really wants a family in the future.
However, after the 1st one, it should then be covered by the couple.
MentalSarcasm said:
Pay for glasses here too, also pay for the cream for my eczema and the antibiotics I occasionally have to be put on if it gets too bad, plenty of my friends have asthma and have to pay for their inhalers and the medication for that (and asthma can kill).
You're not paying the full amount for the medications. You're paying a small contribution towards them. Otherwise you'd be paying literally hundreds of pounds a week for some brands of antibiotics. The NHS picks up the majority of the tab.
G_T said:
IMO,
It is not your right as such, but reasonable efforts should be made by the NHS. For many people a life without children is not one worth living. For the £15,000 or so it takes to have a bash at IVF I think this represents fairly good value for the NHS in terms of the quality of life increase that will be given to the parents. Bearing in mind the tens of thousands we piss away on the self-inflicted.
It's also worth bearing in mind that rising infertility has been linked to environmental factors like pollution. So surely, in the greater scheme of things, a society that made you infertile should give you at least 1 attempt at having a child using technology?
There are plenty of far more expensive and pointless treatments available on the NHS that get far less publicity.
I'd agree. However I understand it's around 5/6k per cycle, not 15kIt is not your right as such, but reasonable efforts should be made by the NHS. For many people a life without children is not one worth living. For the £15,000 or so it takes to have a bash at IVF I think this represents fairly good value for the NHS in terms of the quality of life increase that will be given to the parents. Bearing in mind the tens of thousands we piss away on the self-inflicted.
It's also worth bearing in mind that rising infertility has been linked to environmental factors like pollution. So surely, in the greater scheme of things, a society that made you infertile should give you at least 1 attempt at having a child using technology?
There are plenty of far more expensive and pointless treatments available on the NHS that get far less publicity.
I'd be interested to hear how those who have been through trying unsuccessfully for children AND then been through or been refused treatment on NHS but who are NOT able to afford to go privately.
Are those who have commented already on this either not yet started trying for children (and therefore not really understanding how it might feel) or have successfully had them with no conception issues? Maybe not experienced in repeated miscarriages within a relationship.
As for the point about cost of raising children - I've got a son and I can't remember a single expense that I had to pay in any one month totalling £6k.
People get treated for all sorts of things that 'are not a right' technically. It does not mean they should not be treated. If your fallopian tubes are blocked and you cannot concieve naturally I do not see this as different to hundreds of other operations. eg how many people have knee cartilage or back operations due to sports injuries - what is the price of an general anaesthetic operation + surgeon - has to be around £3/4k... should we not pay for damaged knees for all those sunday football league players?
I think 3 cycles (as per guidelines) should be available (for those meeting certain criteria).
Edited by parakitaMol. on Thursday 6th August 13:47
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