Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to maintain or increase levels of investment in NHS fertility services other than by the development of benchmark pricing.

Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are responsible for commissioning local health services and ensuring the needs of the local health population are met. NHS England is responsible for oversight of the commissioning system. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines are evidence based best practice for clinicians but are not mandatory.

I have written to NHS England specifically asking that it re-emphasise to all those involved in commissioning fertility services that they should have regard to the NICE fertility guidelines. In the light of the response to that letter, the Department will consider what further action may be appropriate.

NHS England and professional and stakeholder groups including the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, are working together to develop commissioning guidance. This guidance aims to improve the quality of commissioning and further encourage the implementation of the NICE fertility guidelines. NHS England has agreed to disseminate and promote the commissioning guidance to all CCGs in England.