Cambridge IVF, which is part of Cambridge University Hospitals Trust, will throw open its doors between 6pm and 8pm on 10 and 24 October and 7, 21 and 28 November. After that dates will be put on the clinic’s dedicated website at http://www.cambridge-ivf.org.uk/ , where there is information about everything from treatments available to success rates.
The decision came after a dozen concerned people came to sessions this month, organised by consultant embryologist Stephen Harbottle and the team, based at Kefford House, Maris Lane, Trumpington.
Mr Harbottle reassured guests that although they would be expected to self-fund treatment, they can still be sure of the same quality of care, and every penny will be ploughed back into the NHS.
Cambridge IVF, which is cheaper than private clinics, has a higher than national average success rate of live births per frozen embryo transfer – 34 per cent for women under 40-years-old.
Close links with the Trust’s Rosie Maternity and Addenbrooke’s Hospitals smooth the “patient pathway”, and work with the Cambridge research community brings latest developments to clinical practice quickly and safely.
Guests’ feedback gave the presentation and question session top marks and the majority said they would like to arrange further consultations to realise their dreams of starting a family.
The sessions were organised after Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group withdrew NHS funding for a single cycle of IVF treatment for the vast majority of patients. Once, it funded three.
Infertility affects one in six people, can have wide societal and health impacts and is categorised as a disease by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Mr Harbottle said: “While we fully understand that it was incredibly tough decision for the CCG, we also knew there would be people out there who would be extremely worried about it.
“It was great to be able to see these people face-to-face and reassure them that we are still here for them, we are committed to giving them our highest level of support, and our world-leading research work goes on.
“Anyone concerned or has questions should not hesitate to contact us as their local NHS clinic, or drop into one of our Tuesday evening sessions. We will be delighted to see them. Of course people can just call us, or call in at any time we are open for advice and information as well, we are here to help.”
About Cambridge IVF
Cambridge IVF is part of the Rosie Hospital and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It is staffed by NHS employees and offers care pathways for both NHS and self-funded patients. It is able to offer patients a single, simplified care pathway from pre-conception through to post-natal care in a single NHS team.
Self-funding is different to paying for care privately. Although patients pay a fee for their treatment, fees are kept to a minimum and returned directly into the local NHS economy to support essential treatments and services.