Question reference: S5W-32097
- Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 28 September 2020
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Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 21 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether fertility treatment to retrieve and freeze eggs for women who experience (a) premature ovarian failure and (b) an early menopause is available through the NHS at no direct cost to the women concerned.
Answer
Currently, decisions as to what procedures or treatment are appropriate for individual patients and medical advice given are matters of clinical judgement. If it is decided that fertility preservation is appropriate then information will be provided in order for informed consent to be taken, prior to any egg freezing commencing and treatment will be covered by the NHS.
A sub-group of the National Infertility Group is currently developing options for fertility preservation. This work involves developing guidelines and pathways, including patient access criteria, for fertility preservation for medical reasons such as oncology treatment.