A new proposal currently under consultation seeks to standardize NHS-funded IVF treatment to just one round for everyone. The current system sees some patients receive two or even three funded cycles depending on their location, while others are offered only one. The existing setup is already deeply unfair—a clear example of the so-called “postcode lottery.” But rather than addressing this inequality by raising the standard, the proposal would lower it for all. It would also revoke previously promised funding from those already approved for multiple rounds. While it's unacceptable that some couples are limited to just one round based solely on where they live, this new approach would not make the system fairer—it would simply make it uniformly inadequate.

At a minimum, all NHS patients should have access to two funded IVF cycles.

Last year, I was fortunate to receive NHS funding for three rounds of IVF, on the condition that all treatments were completed before my 40th birthday. This support was more than just financial—it was a lifeline. It gave me real hope and a genuine chance to build the family I’ve longed for.

Now, that lifeline is at risk—not just for me, but for countless women across Cheshire and Merseyside.

The consultation is expected to conclude by this autumn. If approved, people who have already been granted more than one funded IVF cycle could have their additional rounds withdrawn. This isn't just an issue of fairness—it's about the real consequences for families clinging to the hope of having children.

The British Fertility Society recommends offering up to three IVF cycles, as this significantly improves the chances of a successful pregnancy. Data from the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority shows that the success rate for a first IVF cycle can be as low as 29% for women under 35—and the odds only worsen with age. Denying people the chance for additional cycles isn't just shortsighted—it’s clinically unsound.

By providing at least two funded rounds for everyone, we can eliminate postcode disparities, support better medical outcomes, and adopt a more compassionate, evidence-based approach to infertility care.

We must not abandon families who are already navigating the emotional and physical toll of fertility treatment. They deserve more than a single shot at parenthood.

Please sign this petition to protect fair and supportive IVF funding in Cheshire and Merseyside. Together, we can stand up for equity in healthcare—and for every family's right to grow