Commissioning of Fertility Services

From April 2013, local GP-led Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will take over the commissioning (buying) of fertility services from Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). There are due to be 211 CCGs – significantly more than the current number of PCTs - 152.

This increase in the number of commissioning bodies creates the potential for even more variation.  Whilst NIAC campaigned for national level commissioning of infertility services, under the new NHS Commissioning Board (NHSCB), NIAC is proactively looking to assist GPs and CCGs wherever possible, in order to help them prepare for their new responsibilities. The results of I N UK's survey/appraisal - Primary Care Trusts Liaison Project 2009-2012 can be viewed here.

To support Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in taking forward the commissioning of infertility services the NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB) has produced a factsheet designed to share key knowledge and understanding related to commissioning infertility services. The factsheet includes a tool produced by I N UK aimed at standardising eligibility criteria across England and the final report on our PCT project funded by the Department of Health and aimed at identifying good practice in the commissioning of fertility services and sharing that information as well as identifying bad practice. The report makes a number of recommendations for commissioners to consider.