PRESS RELEASE

May 25th, 2010

Unacceptable waiting times for IVF

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has raised concerns that couples in Inverclyde are waiting nearly two years to begin IVF treatment - four times as long as one neighbouring health board.

It has been confirmed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that the waiting time for NHS patients is 22 months and patients aren’t allowed to be referred to boards with shorter waiting times.

Neighbouring NHS Lanarkshire have waiting times of just six months while NHS Ayrshire and Arran is just over a year (65 weeks).

At the same time, private patients can begin treatment in Inverclyde within six weeks.

Mr McNeil has written to health secretary Nicola Sturgeon to determine what efforts are being made to speed up the process and raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament during a recent debate on health.

Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, said: “The cabinet secretary must take action to deal with these unacceptable long waiting times and the postcode lottery that is developing across Scotland.

“While it has been confirmed to me that the waiting list is as long as 22 months, patients paying for private care are being told to expect a consultation within four to five weeks while those in Motherwell and Hamilton can begin in just six motnhs.

"This leaves those who can't afford to finance their own treatment to wait nearly two years.

“I have written to the Cabinet Secretary asking her to look at the spare capacity in the private sector and get on top of this unsatisfactory situation.”

ENDS