FOI2026/1796

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am writing to request specific details regarding your ICB’s implementation of the Women’s Health Strategy (2022). This strategy pledged that female same-sex couples would no longer have to self-fund multiple IUI cycles before accessing NHS IVF. In practice, this means providing direct NHS IVF funding without prior private self-funded IUI.

Could you kindly confirm:

1. Whether your ICB has fully implemented this removal of financial barriers.

2. If so, the date on which this implementation occurred.

3. If not, the reasons for delay and any planned timeline for full implementation.

1. NHS GM has not yet fully implemented removal of financial barriers in its current Assisted Conception and Fertility Preservation Policy.

NHS GM’s current policy states:

Prior to offering treatment covered by this policy, the individuals seeking assisted conception should be advised of the need for a period of expectant management. They should have tried to conceive for a total of 2 years (the period of expectant management after diagnosis and up to 1 year before their fertility investigations began) before IVF will be considered. For same sex couples and single women offer a further 6 cycles of IUI post referral, to be carried out in an NHS clinical setting, in addition to the self-funded 6 cycles of self-reported vaginal insemination undertaken prior to referral (as the equivalent of expectant management in a heterosexual couple) or 3 cycles if aged over 36 years.

2. N/A

3. The Department of Health and Social Care Women’s Health Strategy for England published on 20 July 2022 was withdrawn on the 20 May 2026 and replaced by the renewed Women’s Health Strategy for Englandwhich was published on 15 April 2026.

The renewed Women’s Health Strategy for England along with the NICE guideline NG257 on Fertility problems: assessment and treatment which was published on the 31 March 2026 will both be taken into consideration when the GM Assisted Conception Policy is next reviewed.  It is expected this will be reviewed during 2026/27.