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| NHS failings over IVF treatment | NHS failings over IVF treatment |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The chances of successful IVF treatment on the NHS are lowered because doctors do not always see patients at the best time, a BBC investigation has found. | The chances of successful IVF treatment on the NHS are lowered because doctors do not always see patients at the best time, a BBC investigation has found. |
| The key moments in an IVF cycle are when eggs are collected and when the fertilised eggs are transferred back to the womb. | The key moments in an IVF cycle are when eggs are collected and when the fertilised eggs are transferred back to the womb. |
| The top five clinics carry out these procedures at least five days a week. | The top five clinics carry out these procedures at least five days a week. |
| But more than half of NHS clinics that responded to a Five Live Report survey did so fewer than four days a week. | But more than half of NHS clinics that responded to a Five Live Report survey did so fewer than four days a week. |
| It was very geared around when they could fit me in rather that when it was appropriate KavitaIVF patient | It was very geared around when they could fit me in rather that when it was appropriate KavitaIVF patient |
| Some only did it one or two days a week. | Some only did it one or two days a week. |
| Kavita, 38, from London has been trying for a baby for eight years, during which time she has had treatment both privately and on the NHS. | Kavita, 38, from London has been trying for a baby for eight years, during which time she has had treatment both privately and on the NHS. |
| She said her private treatment was always more likely to result in pregnancy. | She said her private treatment was always more likely to result in pregnancy. |
| She said: "They are waiting to see the optimum moment for when it's best to collect the eggs and monitoring the condition. | She said: "They are waiting to see the optimum moment for when it's best to collect the eggs and monitoring the condition. |
| "I just remember with the NHS, it was very geared around when they could fit me in rather that when it was appropriate." | "I just remember with the NHS, it was very geared around when they could fit me in rather that when it was appropriate." |
| After more private treatment, Kavita has now discovered that even with IVF treatment, she is unlikely to conceive naturally. | After more private treatment, Kavita has now discovered that even with IVF treatment, she is unlikely to conceive naturally. |
| But this was something that wasn't explained to her before her NHS treatment. | But this was something that wasn't explained to her before her NHS treatment. |
| She said: "I just felt that the whole process was a complete and utter waste of time. | She said: "I just felt that the whole process was a complete and utter waste of time. |
| "All one is asking is for consideration to be given to what is appropriate for me and is the treatment tailored to my needs from a medical point of view? | "All one is asking is for consideration to be given to what is appropriate for me and is the treatment tailored to my needs from a medical point of view? |
| "At no time could I say that that was the case." | "At no time could I say that that was the case." |
| Time pressure | Time pressure |
| Laurence Shaw is deputy medical director at the private clinic, the Bridge Centre in London. | Laurence Shaw is deputy medical director at the private clinic, the Bridge Centre in London. |
| For the sake of patients and to give them the best possible chance, we need to look into this very carefully Clare BrownInfertility Network UK | For the sake of patients and to give them the best possible chance, we need to look into this very carefully Clare BrownInfertility Network UK |
| Until 2005, he was an IVF specialist with the NHS, where he only had time to collect eggs one morning a week. | Until 2005, he was an IVF specialist with the NHS, where he only had time to collect eggs one morning a week. |
| He said this was typical of the pressures other units are facing. | He said this was typical of the pressures other units are facing. |
| "The vast bulk of units up and down the country are very similar to the one I used to work in. | "The vast bulk of units up and down the country are very similar to the one I used to work in. |
| "They may be only free to do an egg collection or an embryo transfer on one or two days of the week." | "They may be only free to do an egg collection or an embryo transfer on one or two days of the week." |
| Having the flexibility both to collect eggs and transfer embryos back into a woman's womb at the optimum moment, he said, could make a significant difference to the patient's chances of conceiving. | Having the flexibility both to collect eggs and transfer embryos back into a woman's womb at the optimum moment, he said, could make a significant difference to the patient's chances of conceiving. |
| "This is a biological process and the more we can respond to the biological response the better. | "This is a biological process and the more we can respond to the biological response the better. |
| "You are more likely to improve your pregnancy rates if you can adapt to the needs of the particular patient." | "You are more likely to improve your pregnancy rates if you can adapt to the needs of the particular patient." |
| Big variations | Big variations |
| According to figures from the regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, IVF clinic success rates range from around 50% for the best performing clinics to 10% for the worst. | According to figures from the regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, IVF clinic success rates range from around 50% for the best performing clinics to 10% for the worst. |
| Clare Brown, from the patient group Infertility Network UK, said the impact week-long egg collection and embryo transfer procedures have was an area the NHS needed to look at. | Clare Brown, from the patient group Infertility Network UK, said the impact week-long egg collection and embryo transfer procedures have was an area the NHS needed to look at. |
| "I would urge more research into what can improve success rates. | "I would urge more research into what can improve success rates. |
| "For the sake of patients and to give them the best possible chance, we need to look into this very carefully." | "For the sake of patients and to give them the best possible chance, we need to look into this very carefully." |
| 5live Report: NHS Baby Blues can be heard at 1100BST and 1900BST on Sunday 12 August or afterwards at the 5live Report website. | 5live Report: NHS Baby Blues can be heard at 1100BST and 1900BST on Sunday 12 August or afterwards at the 5live Report website. |
| Have you had IVF treatment? Have you been affected by this story in any way? Send us your experiences using the form below: | |