Liverpool Hewitt Centre doctor Charles Kingsland says fertility cuts are ‘short sighted’
A LIVERPOOL fertility doctor yesterday warned of the effect NHS cuts could have on IVF treatment.
Charles Kingsland, clinical director of the Hewitt Centre at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, is concerned that, as Primary Care Trusts strive to save money, fertility services will be the first thing to go.
He spoke as a £5.5m expansion of the Hewitt Centre, which offers IVF, was opened.
The move will cement its status as being the biggest provider of NHS fertility services in the country.
Dr Kingsland’s fears were fuelled when Warrington Primary Care Trust stopped routinely funding IVF for women.
Warrington’s withdrawal of funding was a direct blow for the unit, and meant doctors had to tell 88 couples they were not entitled to NHS care.
But it also meant a loss of £400,000 in revenue for the centre, which is already having to make savings of £250,000 as part of an NHS efficiency drive.
Dr Kingsland is worried there could be a “pack of cards” effect as other PCTs cancel contracts.
