A Lincoln woman campaigning for stepmothers to be granted access to IVF treatment on the NHS has expressed her frustration with the lack of progress by health authorities in the East Midlands. Sarah Curtis, who launched the My Fertility Matters campaign in 2021, was initially told she did not qualify for IVF treatment because her partner already had a daughter. Since then, she has been advocating for changes to NHS policies that she feels unfairly exclude women in similar situations.
Health bosses in the region had promised to review their IVF eligibility rules last May. However, Curtis says that the recent developments have been a major disappointment. The review has now shifted to a survey to assess whether any changes are truly needed. Curtis views this as a step backward in the campaign and expressed her dismay at the lack of decisive action.
“I felt like the reassurances we had received were all for nothing,” Curtis told us. “The proposals now suggest that they are planning to keep the policies the same, which would mean that families with children from previous relationships still wouldn’t be eligible for IVF support. It’s devastating.”
Curtis’s campaign has gained significant attention, as she points out that only one area in the East Midlands—Derbyshire—currently offers IVF support to individuals with children from prior relationships. In many parts of the region, including Lincolnshire, this access is denied, creating what Curtis describes as a “postcode lottery” with no clear explanation for the discrepancies.
“I’d like the Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across the East Midlands to really listen to the people this affects and reconsider these policies. It makes a real difference to families who are trying to grow,” she said. “Until you’ve experienced it, you can’t fully understand the devastation that this causes.”
In response, Lincolnshire’s Integrated Care Board (ICB) acknowledged the strong emotions surrounding fertility treatment policies. While they have proposed changes, the ICB emphasized that no final decisions have been made yet. The consultation process remains ongoing as they continue to evaluate the need for potential revisions to the IVF eligibility rules.
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