A lesbian couple have won a legal case against the NHS. after they were told that they would have to pay £6,000 for IVF treatment for six rounds of IUI.
Heterosexual partners in the same area of Barnsley in the UK would not need to pay this before being granted access to IVF treatment.
Artificial insemination didn’t work
Laura Hineson and Rachel Morgan were desperate for their own child and tried artificial insemination for several years without luck. They then paid for three cycles of IUI treatments at a local fertility centre.
When that didn’t work, the couple requested IVF treatment through the NHS. They were shocked to hear that they would have to pay £6,000 on six rounds of intrauterine insemination, unlike heterosexual couples who would not need to pay.
Same treatment as straight couples
Laura and Rachel felt they were being discriminated against because of their sexuality and took the NHS to court. They argued that they should be given the same treatment as heterosexuals under the Equality Act 2010. They won the case and now have access to treatment without the need to pay more than straight couples.
Laura and Rachel said: “For us, this is about fighting for LGBT equality. We should have equal access to IVF treatment and a family, irrespective of the gender of the person we fall in love with.”
NHS admits mistake
NHS Barnsley admitted that their policy was discriminatory and have changed the rules to make access equal to all couples. In recent years, the NHS has been cutting back on free IVF treatment because of cost pressures. Many areas have stopped offering it altogether or limit access to one or two cycles.
NHS advisory body NICE recommends that women aged under 40 should be offered three cycles if they have been trying to conceive for two years, which means some NHS areas in the UK are sadly ignoring the NHS’s own medical advisors.
NHS cuts IVF treatment in 13 areas of the UK to save money
