Agenda item

Report presented by Anna Stewart, Associate Director, Technical Contracting NHS ELC and Dr Maggie Harding, Locum Health Consultant NHS ELC (copy attached).

The Committee received a report from the NHS ELC. This Policy defined the assisted conception treatments being offered in NHS East London and the City and set out the eligibility criteria for patients wishing to access those services.

In response to questions about the timescales referred to in paragraph 5.1 of the report, the Health Consultant explained that women over 36 are assisted for unexplained infertility after one year, because the treatment is only available for women up to the age of 40. Members noted that, given the sensitivities surrounding this type of treatment, the service do not retain patient details; this is held by the PCT.

The Health Consultant explained to the LINk representative who was concerned about the public consultation arrangements for this proposal, that legal advice had been taken on the appropriate level of consultation, and it was proportionate to the changes proposed.  Some modifications had been made following further testing with LINks.

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