Single women and blended families could gain access to NHS-funded IVF under review

Single women and couples where both partners have children from previous relationships could gain access to NHS-funded IVF under a national review into funding criteria.

The Scottish Government has commissioned the review, which will examine fertility treatment, access to fertility preservation services, including for women who have undergone cancer treatment, and ways to reduce waiting times for people who require donor eggs or sperm.

Scotland currently provides eligible new patients with up to three full cycles of NHS-funded IVF treatment.

Under existing rules, couples where one partner has children from a previous relationship can access NHS IVF treatment. However, couples who both have children from previous relationships are not currently eligible to access treatment together.

The review will also consider recent updates to clinical guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which recommends up to three additional NHS-funded IVF cycles for those who have not achieved a successful pregnancy after their initial three cycles.

Speaking ahead of a visit to the Edinburgh Fertility Centre at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, health secretary Angela Constance said: “Access to NHS IVF treatment should be fair, timely and reflect the way people’s lives and families look today, and delivering this review is one of our key 100 day commitments.

“The review will look closely at the current system, including waiting times for those who need donor eggs or sperm for their treatment.

“This work builds on annual Scottish Government funding, which has supported the expansion of NHS IVF treatment over the past ten years.”

The National Fertility Group (NFG) will lead the review and make recommendations, reporting by early summer 2027.

Same-sex couples already have access to NHS IVF treatment, but like others who require donor eggs or sperm, they can face longer waiting times.

Any couple requiring a surrogate for their NHS IVF treatment must arrange their own surrogate before treatment, as the NHS does not have a role in identifying or matching surrogates or any financial or legal arrangements made between the surrogate and the genetic/commissioning couple.

NHS IVF treatment is provided in four NHS Assisted Conception Units, in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen.