The government has been urged to ring-fence unspent funding for in vitro fertilisation treatment, after it emerged earlier this year that only a tenth of the annual budget had been spent on helping would-be local parents.
Chloé Fosse of fertility charity Tiny Seeds told Express that “ring-fencing is crucial to protect the progress that has been made”.
It comes after the eligibility criteria for IVF funding was expanded this week to allow couples to qualify even if one partner has children from a previous relationship.
The updated policy also removed the requirement for same-sex female couples to prove infertility through artificial insemination attempts before accessing funded IVF.
It emerged earlier this year that dozens of would-be parents were being denied help when only 10% of the government’s dedicated budget had been spent.
Health Minister Tom Binet confirmed in July that just £62,000 of the £620,000 set aside for funded IFV treatment had been used since new criteria was introduced in January, prompting calls from campaigners to expand what they dubbed overly “restrictive” criteria.
During that time, 43 islanders were seen by the Assisted Reproduction Unit but did not qualify for funding. Of these, two-thirds were denied financial support because they or their partner already had a child.
The founder of fertility charity Tiny Seeds is now urging the government to ring-fence the unspent funding.
Ms Fosse said: “We would like to see any unspent IVF funding from this year ring-fenced and carried forward into 2026, specifically for use in fertility services. This would ensure that the funds remain available to support those undergoing IVF.
“Our hope is that this would enable more people to access treatment in the future and potentially allow for further widening of the eligibility criteria.”
She explained: “If the allocated budget isn’t used in full this year and reabsorbed into general budgets, this would be a missed opportunity to support more of the people that the money was allocated to help.
“For those undergoing treatment in the coming years – particularly those who currently fall outside eligibility – the carry over of unspent funding could be transformative.
“It could mean widened criteria, offering access to those who currently remain excluded and greater equity, with more people receiving the support they need to grow their families.”
Ms Fosse said that the amendments to the criteria – which came into force from 1 October – are “encouraging” and “very welcome step forward”.
If the allocated budget isn’t used in full this year and reabsorbed into general budgets, this would be a missed opportunity to support more of the people that the money was allocated to help
Chloé Fosse, founder of Tiny Seeds
She added: “We have heard a mix of relief and continued frustration. Couples who now fall within the widened criteria are understandably delighted – they have waited a long time for this change, and it brings hope.
“However, we have also heard from people who remain excluded – often for reasons that feel unfair – such as having previously self funded treatment cycles when there was no choice but to do so, having a child already, and relationship status.
“We know firsthand how emotionally and financially difficult fertility challenges can be. It is heartbreaking for those who still left behind.
“These changes are a positive step in the right direction, but we would like to see the criteria widened and evolved to support more people in the future.”