Lothians MSP slams 'postcode lottery' for fertility treatment

Published on Monday 29 March 2010 10:07

MIDLOTHIAN Labour MSP Rhona Brankin has attacked the NHS "postcode lottery" for infertility treatment.

Lothian and Fife are the only Scottish health boards not to comply with national criteria for fertility treatment, which says patients are eligible for treatment until their 40th birthday.

Ms Brankin said: "I've been approached several times by upset constituents who have been aghast to discover that NHS Lothian hasn't been meeting the national criteria for fertility treatment. Not only are patients in Lothian having to wait longer for IVF treatment, but they also face being removed from the waiting list when they reach their 38th birthday.

"The correspondence I've had with NHS Lothian suggests that it is in no hurry to meet the national criteria."

Ms Brankin has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on the two health boards to comply with the national criteria and has also tabled a further question to the Scottish Government demanding to know what action it will take to address the issue.