The IVF postcode lottery
How difficult is it to access IVF treatment? How long you spend on the waiting list is a "postcode lottery" according to Scottish Labour, with patients in NHS Lothian waiting the longest: up to three years.
NHS Lothian says: "As part of a review of our fertility services we are investing an additional £180,000 to increase the number of IVF cycles we are able to offer by around 40 per cent during 2009-2010."
Nonetheless Jackie Baillie told today's Morning Extra that it was unfair that patients in some parts of Scotland have to wait three years for treatment when others are treated in less than 12 months.
What's your experience? We heard stories from aspiring mums and dads this morning, many of whom have been successful. But others haven't been so lucky. Sandra in Wishaw texted: "I'm not eligible for IVF as I already have a child and it's costing me £4,000 per cycle privately."
Plenty of unsympathetic texts as well. Allan in Kintail was typical of many: "Poor little spoilt brats, stamp their feet shouting, I want, I want! If they want IVF they should pay for it and the cash spent at the moment should be used to research some of the terrible diseases that afflict the living."
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