A recent study led by Queen Mary University of London has uncovered significant cost disparities and challenges in accessing reliable information for fertility treatments in the UK published in Human Fertility. The research, spearheaded by Prof. Manuela Perrotta, highlights the financial strain on patients and calls for greater transparency from clinics to support informed decision-making.
The study surveyed 304 current and prospective IVF patients, revealing stark differences in treatment costs. On average, patients spent £11,950 per cycle, with private clinics charging nearly double (£12,977) compared to NHS facilities (£6,990). Over 60% of patients who opted for fertility treatment add-ons received care at private clinics, while only 13.3% accessed these through the NHS.
Trust in information sources varied widely. While 96% of respondents consulted private clinic websites, only 60.2% found them reliable. NHS websites were trusted by 50.3%, and social networks by just 26.3%. Notably, 95.9% of patients emphasized the need for clinics to provide accurate, updated cost and treatment details online.
A concerning trend was the rise in the use of add-ons like time-lapse imaging (41.4% of respondents), despite evidence showing no improvement in success rates.
Prof. Manuela Perrotta, the lead author, stated: “Patients face a complex landscape of treatment options and costs with little transparency. Regulatory action is urgently needed to ensure clinics provide clear, standardized information.”
The study underscores the need for stronger oversight by regulatory bodies like the HFEA and ASA to standardize cost disclosures and improve information reliability. Addressing these gaps could mitigate inequalities in access to fertility care and empower patients to make better-informed choices.
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