AssistedConception.org

My name is Sheena Young and I am Regional Organiser in Scotland for Infertility Network UK (I N UK). We are fortunate that The Scottish Executive Health Department fund my position, which has enabled us to have a branch here.

I have been in the post since 1997 and in that time have set up quite a few support groups across Scotland. In recent years there has been a very significant reduction in the number of active groups all over the UK. Here in Scotland at the time of writing this, we have just the group which I run in Ayrshire, one in Kirkcaldy and Cradle (formerly Glasgow Infertility Support Group) still active. It is sad that this is the case, but a survey of our members showed that many couples were seeking support in other ways and preferred not to meet face to face. The important thing is that we are able to provide support and information in the way that best suits each individuals needs.

Some of the ways in which we offer support to couples are as follows. Information days are held at least once a year, the next one will be in Glasgow and I hope that this will take place soon. Keep a look out in the I N UK website and magazine for details. These events consist of an exhibition where the pharmaceutical companies and the clinics make themselves available to speak to delegates and provide information as well as talks by leading health professionals and others with up to date information on infertility which is of interest to patients. On some occasions, we arrange a couple of afternoon workshops where a specific subject is discussed and there can be debate. These events really are not to be missed as they not only provide a huge amount of information and support, but they are free.

A new project which we are embarking upon at present is called “Find a Friend” where we can put I N UK members in touch with others in their area who are in agreement and they can chat via the phone or email, or even meet up. It has worked extremely well in London where our RO for London and the South East (who came up with the idea) has piloted it. I am about to set up the scheme here in Scotland, so those of you who are I N UK members will be hearing from me real soon.

We also have a whole range of helpliners who are infertility sufferers themselves and who agree to speak to others in a similar situation. These people and their telephone numbers are listed in our quarterly magazine.

We have a daytime advice line which is manned by I N UK staff and on a Monday Wednesday and Friday, a member of staff who is also a trained nurse with counselling skills takes calls on this line. For those who need more professional counselling, we also run an evening counselling service. All these services can be accessed through our call centre on 08701 188 088. Membership is not a prerequisite to accessing any of our service, although we do want to encourage people to join I N UK, not least because the subscription go a long way to ensuring we continue to provide and improve our service to you.

Whatever form of support a person needs, I NUK aim to try and provide that, whether it is giving them details of a support group where they can get face to face support or simply by being there to lend an ear when they need to talk.

The Regional Network ensures that information is available to couples at local level. All our Regional Organisers (RO’s) work closely with clinics and health professionals in their area as well as support groups and all others working in the field.

In February 2000, The Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland (EAGISS) published a report, which was sent to every Health Board in Scotland by The Scottish Executive, with instruction that they work toward implementing that report. In the whole, the criteria set down for assisted conception treatment has been implemented now and we do have a much fairer and more equitable service, something to be proud of. I have been heavily involved for many years in NHS funding issues and have seen the service improve remarkably over those years. We still have problem areas and there have been instances where couples report difficulties in accessing treatment or find that the criteria is not being implemented as it should, or there is some confusion.

The EAGISS report states that:

NHS-funded assisted conception should be available to couples who meet all of the following eligibility criteria

• Infertility with an appropriate cause of any duration or Unexplained infertility of at least three years duration
• Female partner aged less than 38 years at the time of treatment ***
• Neither parent previously sterilised
• No child living with the couple in their home
• Less than 3 previous embryo transfers (regardless of No. of cycles) funded from any source ***

*** These two criteria are at present under review and recommendations have been made to increase the age limit to 40 and to increase the number of previous embryo transfers allowed to 5. As soon as I hear any news on this review I will ensure it is on the I N UK website.

I think it is important that patients know the criteria and it is certainly important that those providing the service adhere to them, otherwise there is confusion which inevitably leaves patients feeling perplexed, upset and angry.

I am only a phone call away, so if there is anything I can be of help with either on the information, support or funding side of things, please don’t hesitate to be in touch. My contact details and the I NUK website details are as follows

Office 01294 218868
Mobile 07710 764 162

Email:sheena@infertilitynetworkuk.com
Website: www.infertilitynetworkuk.com

You will find The Scottish section by clicking on Services and then Regional Network. Scroll down the areas covered to Scotland and my mug shot and click on more info.