Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly has announced that the number of couples referred for publicly funded Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) treatment has exceeded 1,000.
Around 125 couples each month are now being referred through the (HSE) Regional Fertility Hubs, for publicly funded AHR treatment provided in approved private clinics, according to the Department of Health.
“Thousands of other patients have had their fertility-related issues resolved through the six Regional Fertility Hubs, in line with the Model of Care for Fertility, in order to ensure that issues are addressed at the lowest level of clinical intervention necessary.”
Minister Donnelly said, “It’s less than 11 months since the introduction of publicly funded AHR treatment in Ireland and we have now reached a very important milestone with more than 1,000 referrals to private clinics.
“For so many couples who face the very difficult emotional and physical challenges infertility issues present, publicly funded treatment has given them hope of becoming parents.
“We are already aware of the first live births resulting from publicly funded AHR treatment, and I would like to warmly congratulate those parents.
“I am committed to expanding AHR provision. As this service develops, we expect to see around 1,500 referrals over the course of a full year.
“We’re also seeing thousands of other patients being successfully treated at our network of Regional Fertility Hubs, ensuring that that treatment is provided at the lowest level of intervention necessary.
“The Government is also committed to providing a fully publicly provided fertility service, with the first public National AHR Centre scheduled to open in Cork next year.”
The HSE advises people experiencing fertility issues to present to their GP as the first step. If further treatment is required, they may be referred to their local Regional Fertility Hub, which provides a range of treatments and interventions for both males and females.
The fertility hubs are located at:
- National Maternity Hospital, Dublin
- Rotunda Hospital, Dublin
- Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin
- Galway University Hospital
- Cork University Maternity Hospital
- Nenagh General Hospital as part of Limerick University Maternity Hospital.
Eligible patients identified as suitable for AHR treatment can choose to be treated in one of eight HSE-approved clinics:
- Beacon Care Fertility: Dublin. Satellite clinics in Limerick and Louth
- First IVF: Kildare. Satellite clinics in Cork, Galway and Kerry
- Merrion Fertility Clinic: Dublin
- ReproMed Dublin: Dublin. Satellite clinic in Louth
- ReproMed Galway: Galway
- Sims IVF: Cork & Dublin. Satellite clinics in Carlow, Limerick and Louth
- Thérapie Fertility: Dublin. Satellite clinics in Limerick and Louth
- Waterstone Clinic: Cork. Satellite clinics in Kildare and Waterford
Patients referred for treatment can avail of one full cycle of IVF or ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) treatment, or up to three episodes of IUI (intrauterine insemination), provided in a HSE-approved private clinic of their choice.
Publicly funded AHR is not means tested, and providing details about your income is not required to avail of the service.
More details on public fertility services, including information on the publicly-funded AHR treatment initiative, are available on the HSE’s fertility treatment website.
