IVF: Independent sector considered for extra cycles

Health Minister Robin Swann has said he will consider using the independent sector to deliver the three cycles of IVF pledged as part of the deal to restore Stormont.

Women are currently entitled to one cycle paid for by the health service.

Stormont's Health Committee has been briefed that the Regional Fertility Centre "does not have the capacity" for extra treatments.

It is the only public provider of IVF in Northern Ireland.

Department of Health permanent secretary Richard Pengelly appeared before the committee on Thursday to brief members on the department's priorities.

He said the difficulty was "not so much a money issue, it is more about infrastructure and people".

"It is people with the right skill set and the infrastructure to do it," he said.

The New Decade New Approach deal included a pledge to fund up to three cycles, as is the case in Scotland.

On Thursday, Mr Swann told BBC News NI: "If there is capacity in the independent sector, and I get the finance, I am open to anything that will make this system work and that goes across the piece.

"If that is an option on the table to provide the support those families need, it is something I will certainly contemplate."

'Tell us what you need'

When Scotland increased the number of cycles available on the health service to three in March 2017, it cost the NHS there £1m a year.

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong, who went through IVF at the Regional Fertility Centre, urged Mr Pengelly to set out what is required.

"We don't want to hear what he can't do. We want to hear what he needs to be able to make it happen," she said.

"We need to provide solutions for people."