Brankin hails £300k boost for fertility treatment

A £300,000 funding coup to enhance fertility treatment has been welcomed by Midlothian MSP Rhona Brankin.

The Labour politician previously criticised the "postcode lottery" in fertility treatment when it emerged that NHS Lothian was one of two Scottish health boards not compliant with national criteria, which state that patients are eligible for treatment until their 40th birthday.

Until recently, Lothians patients faced longer waiting lists for IVF treatment and were removed from the register when they turned 38.

Ms Brankin, who acted after being approached by aggrieved constituents, raised the issue with Scottish Health Minister Shona Robison.

She also tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament.

"I welcome this overdue announcement by NHS Lothian," she said. "There is no good reason why people in Lothian should not benefit from the same infertility services as those provided elsewhere in the country."