2. Are there specific criteria for access to MAP?
Medical reasons:
a. Infertility:
For a heterosexual couple? No; For women not living in a heterosexual couple? No
b. Risk of transmission of a disease
For a heterosexual couple No?; For women not living in a heterosexual couple? No
c. Other N/A
Provision of treatment on the National Health Service (NHS) varies across the UK with different local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) or health boards having differing levels of provision and different eligibility criteria. The National Institute of Clinical Health and Excellence (NICE) is the NHS body who developed the overarching guidelines which CCGs then apply locally. Guidelines can be viewed here: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg156. Private fee-paying (non-National Health Service) patients can have treatment for purely non-medical reasons if they wish.
As the UK’s regulator for assisted reproduction, the HFEA requires licensed fertility clinics to follow screening requirements to avoid the transmission of diseases. Donors have to be screened for infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C and Cytomegalovirus (CMV). Among the criteria to be considered is the patient’s age, health and ability to provide for the needs of a child/children. Further information on screening requirements can be viewed in the HFEA’s code of practice: http://www.hfea.gov.uk/498.html
Clinics ultimately must decide fairly whether to offer or refuse treatment. Further information on guidance to treating people fairly when receiving fertility treatment is included in the HFEA code of practice: https://www.hfea.gov.uk/media/2793/2019-01-03-code-of-practice-9th-edition-v2.pdf