Sunday, October 3, 2010

Light drinkers denied IVF to save NHS cash... and even the alcohol intake of HUSBANDS can count against couples

Women who drink more than DoH guidelines face being denied IVF treatment
Women who drink fewer than two glasses of wine a day are being denied free IVF as NHS trusts impose strict rules on who gets fertility treatment.
Even those who barely drink at all could be turned down if their partners are deemed to be exceeding recommended alcohol limits.
Health trusts insist they are simply following Department of Health guidelines which warn against excessive drinking, particularly in pregnancy, but experts have accused them of discriminating solely to save money.
Critics say there is no evidence that those who drink slightly more than the recommended limit will be any less successful with IVF.
Up to one in five of the 66 Primary Care Trusts in England say they would refuse treatment to couples if either of them drink more than the Department of Health’s recommended weekly limit of 14 units for women and 21 for men.
And in response to a Daily Mail Freedom of Information request, many more said that although there was no specific alcohol policy, doctors could refuse IVF if they believed patients were drinking too much.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1317463/Light-drinkers-denied-IVF-save-NHS-cash-Even-husbands-alcohol-intake-count-couples.html



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