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A survey of 154 Irish GPs found almost two thirds believed the restriction on couples who already have a child together from accessing state-funded fertility treatment to be unfair.
The research, published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, also found just 56% of surveyed GPs agreed with the exclusion of women with obesity from accessing free fertility treatment through the HSE.
However, 77% supported the age cut-off of 41 for women, which Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly last week told The Journal he would consider raising.
Provision of one cycle of state-funded IVF for couples who meet access criteria was implemented last September, following years of government delays. The first baby conceived under the scheme has just been born.
Last week, Donnelly said he wants to expand the criteria to allow more people to avail of free fertility treatment.
Single people, same-sex couples and those who need to use donor eggs or sperm are also excluded from the scheme, as are couples who have been together for less than a year.
The survey of GPs, conducted by researchers at the Merrion Fertility Clinic, National Maternity Hospital and UCD, found only 53% agreed with the age limit of 60 for men under the access criteria. Nine female GPs said the believed that the male age limit was too high and was disproportionate to the female age limit of 41 years.
GPs were asked about the fairness of several access criteria.
A number said they believed same-sex couples and those suffering from secondary infertility should also be included.
“I think having one living child should not be barrier,” one GP said.
“Secondary infertility is as devastating as primary infertility.”
Couples who already have a living child together cannot access state-funded fertility treatment. In addition, only one partner may have a living child.
Some believed the schemes’ weight criterion – a body mass index of less than 30, signalling that a person does not have obesity – to be too restrictive.
One GP told the researchers: “‘More than half of Irish adults are overweight or obese.”
“It has an impact on fertility, obviously, but once again ‘others’ a group that has enough stigma.”
However, some GPs felt the access criteria were reasonable given limited resources, and that the female age criteria could be even more restrictive, given the impact of female age on the likelihood of success.
The researchers added that GPs need better education on fertility. To obtain access to state-funded fertility treatment, couples must be referred by a GP or consultant.
While just over two thirds of GPs who responded to the survey had spent time working in obstetrics and gynaecology, 70% had not received any formal training in fertility.
The study comprised an online questionaire completed between September 2023 and January 2024. The researchers noted that the sample size – comprising about 4% of practising GPs – was small, and possibly weighted towards those with an interest in fertility and women’s health.
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Yay Ireland…
A step in the right direction at least
Anyone else notice that it’s one of the most positive stories of the day but only has 3 comments ?
It’s a nothing auction Kieran.. Extremely small potatoes.
Greece & Portugal have been offering short term bills since they went into their programs.
And we as a nation love our negativity !!
This is a wonderful expression of confidence on the long long road we have all travelled together with some suffering more than others. As economic performance is more frequently associated with positive sentiment lets push the usual Journal naysayers and prophets of doom to one side and together say………….YEAHHHHHHHHHHH GO GO GO IRELAND!
Think there need’s to be a counter balance to the supposed euphoria – Thankfully Constantin has plenty to say on this sale of ‘new’ stamps; rather they are of little value to overall effectiveness of any real bond sale and the effects of this are overrated – more spin I’m afraid.
http://trueeconomics.blogspot.ie/2012/07/372012-curb-your-enthusiasms.html
“The people and the economy can only wax fat and prosperous when their government is starved and puny.” – Murray Rothbard
@martincrettinnnPlease just this once..,,be happy a small step in the right direction and not 5 back as usual!!
Its not even a step be real!
Ahem ahem..I was waiting for the cheer-leading on this -
Now, I recall a certain Minister Bruton, 1 week before the Fiscal Treaty Referendum , stating “we don’t want to have to go to the LOAN SHARKS that are the Bond Markets ” !!!!!!!
And now we are supposed to celebrate going to the loan sharks again!?!? Just shows you the Crap that politicians will spin in an attempt to bully/ frighten people!!
I’d like to understand the rational behind the red thumbs!!???? I just highlighted a FACTUAL piece!
The mind boggles
Like his other quote best when referring to the State as – “a gang of thieves writ large” – no truer word said when considering the payment of bondholders over the welfare of the countries inhabitants and the forced nature in bringing about the household charge.
Yes. We should just try surviving on words and fresh air.
It’s the wrong words – uttered by so called intellectuals – that ruined this countries prospects in the first place – so we best watch the ones we use! So really where are you heading with such brief comment
If we had chosen not to honour the debts we have taken on, the welfare of the most vulnerable or our citizens would have been the most severely impacted.
All you have to offer to replace the money we have been lent is words and fresh air.
I’d like to return to the markets with a shrunken senior civil service sector; that way the markets would understand the country has its fiscal priorities in order -and then lend us the dosh!!!
Ahh nice one Ireland back to the markets, what are they selling, fruit & veg, clothes ???, ah sure its probably that cheap booze centra were trying to sell.
Do people want to return to the markets with a bloated public sector? We will still be under savage budgets to keep the lemmings overpaid.
If the government is fully funded until next year why on earth are they making this mickey mouse play?
To prove they can. Until now, they couldn’t. The yields may also change on the day, up or down, depending on sentiment. So it is a useful exercise.
Ireland will make it – I ALWAYS believed it! Irish are amazing in surviving and getting the head up again! YOU GO EIRE!!!!
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