Cost of living affecting London fertility treatment patients

Natalie McGreevy, 30, could not receive help from the NHS for fertility treatment

Londoners going through fertility treatment are struggling to afford it because of the ongoing cost of living crisis, a charity says.

Up to 95% of patients are in this position, with 92% stating the cost-of-living makes it worse, figures from Fertility Network UK show.

Dr Catherine Hill, from the charity, said there was a "lack of access to NHS funded fertility treatment."

Private IVF treatment can cost up to £12,000 per round.

Natalie McGreevy, 30, previously went abroad for two cycles of egg freezing, as health complications meant it was difficult for her to conceive naturally.

She had taken the step to get treatment outside the UK after being told it was not available to her on the NHS.

Private IVF can cost up to £12,000 per round

"When I first found out [I could not have the treatment on the NHS] it really sucked," Ms McGreevy said.

"There was a lot of, I wouldn't say anger, but resentment."

Her problems worsened when she was diagnosed with endometriosis - a condition that was being worsened by the hormone injections she had been receiving as part of the fertility treatment.

It prompted Ms McGreevy to stop the treatment and is now paying to keep her frozen eggs in storage.

'Lack of access'

"I did have to work a lot more hours to recoup the cost and keep paying the fee until I make a decision later on," she added

The cost of storing eggs can be as much as £350 a year, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority said.

"It's really three things coming together," Dr Hill said.

"It's the cost of living crisis, it's the high cost of fertility treatments in the UK and it's this lack of access to NHS funded fertility treatment."

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