Anger at patients 'jumping' IVF queue

Published on Saturday 25 December 2010 15:06

AN MSP has hit out at preferential treatment for private patients prepared to pay thousands of pounds for IVF treatment by the NHS.

A survey by Infertility Network Scotland found that the waiting time for NHS patients in Lothian is three years, compared to just eight months for self-funded patients. Meanwhile, NHS Tayside reported the average waiting time for NHS patients is one year while it can normally provide private IVF treatment within six to eight weeks of the patient's consultation.

Labour's health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: "The SNP were absolutely clear in opposition that NHS hospitals would be banned from treating private patients. But health boards continue to make millions by allowing private patients to buy their way to the front of the queue for services like IVF while NHS patients have to wait up to three years for treatment."

Public health minister Shona Robison agreed it was unacceptable to have "major discrepancies" between individual health boards for IVF treatment. She said: "We are working extremely hard to ensure couples are offered IVF in a timely and equitable manner.

"We have also set up a National Group on Infertility to make recommendations to address the long-standing issues surrounding IVF. The group is expected to submit an interim report to me early next year."