Two-thirds of islanders who failed to qualify for funded fertility treatment under the new criteria were denied because they or their partner already have a child, it has emerged.
Since the island’s new criteria for funded in vitro fertilisation treatment was introduced at the start of the year, 43 islanders have been seen by the Assisted Reproduction Unit but did not qualify for funding.
Of these, 28 did not qualify because they or their partner already have a child, nine did not qualify because they have previously had self-funded IVF or have embryos stored, and six did not qualify for “other reasons” such as age or BMI requirements.
The figures were revealed by the Health Minister in response to a written question by Deputy Lucy Stephenson, who previously raised concerns that the IVF criteria will see existing parents who are struggling to conceive another child miss out on funding.
She spoke to Express about how islanders with secondary infertility – defined as the inability to conceive or carry a baby to term after previously giving birth – are not eligible for funding under the new model.
“I would like to see this addressed with future policy improvements,” she said.
Deputy Stephenson explained: “We do not means test for access to any other type of healthcare, and I continue to be of the view that nor should we for fertility treatment.”
The Endometriosis Jersey founder also recently called on the government to expand its IVF funding criteria after she was turned away because her partner has a child from a previous relationship.
Kate Fry said: “The fact that I do not fit into the criteria, despite the fact that the reason I cannot try for a baby naturally is because I have been let down by the healthcare system, is shocking.”
The Health Minister this week confirmed that, since the new criteria and funding system was introduced earlier this year, the government has spent £62,000 funding fertility treatments.
Deputy Tom Binet said that 17 islanders have been provided with IVF treatment, which has resulted in nine pregnancy tests so far this year.
He explained that all funded patients have had one fresh cycle each at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine. In addition, there have been seven frozen embryo transfers.
A frozen embryo transfer cycle is the process whereby a patient uses embryos frozen from a previous IVF cycle in a new cycle, as an alternative to a “fresh” embryo transfer.
New access criteria for IVF funding came into force in Jersey on 1 January 2025.
Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell confirmed in recent months that the IVF funding criteria would not be expanded at this time, but said a further review is planned for the end of 2025.