The report of findings from a public involvement around assisted conception services is published today.

In the three-week involvement in March, local people were asked their views about a draft interim policy for assisted conception services proposed by Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB).

The draft interim policy would make the criteria for accessing assisted conception services the same across the whole of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Currently there are three different policies in place, meaning that ability to access assisted conception can be different depending on where you live.

The policy is proposed as an interim solution because wider national reviews of assisted conception services are soon to take place. The Women’s Health Strategy (WHS) will include a review of fertility services across England, and updated National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance on fertility treatments is expected at the end of 2024.

The ICB says it will look at any new guidance that emerges from the national reviews and consider whether any changes are needed to the local interim policy for the longer term.

Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Chief Medical Officer for the ICB, said: “I want to thank the more than 100 people who have taken the time to share their views, whether through our survey or online events, about what is a very important issue for many.

“We will consider the feedback carefully as the ICB makes a final decision on the interim policy later in the year.”

The interim policy will be taken through the ICB’s established governance process before a decision is made.