PRESS RELEASE

February 23rd, 2010

IVF fears

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has raised concerns that couples in Inverclyde are waiting nearly two years to begin IVF treatment.

It has been confirmed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that the waiting time for NHS patients is 22 months and patients aren’t allowed to be referred to boards with shorter waiting times.

At the same time, private patients can begin treatment within six weeks.

Mr McNeil took up the issue after being contacted by constituents and is now writing to health secretary Nicola Sturgeon to determine what efforts are being made to speed up the process.

Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, said: “The cabinet secretary must take action to deal with these unacceptable long waiting times.

“While it has been confirmed to me that the waiting list is as long as 22 months, patients paying for private care are being told to expect a consultation within four to five weeks.

"This leaves those who can't afford to finance their own treatment to wait nearly two years.

“I have written to the Cabinet Secretary asking her to look at the spare capacity in the private sector and get on top of this unsatisfactory situation.”

ENDS