Councillors vote to halve free IVF treatment available to Black Country couples

Sandwell councillors have voted to halve the number of free IVF cycles available on the NHS in the Black Country.

Just one free cycle will now be offered in Sandwell, bringing the area into line with Birmingham.

Councillors voted to impose the cut, to come into force in May 2016, after health chiefs said it was not a priority.

That guidance contradicted research which showed almost half of patients, the public and health professionals wanted cycle numbers increased rather than reduced.

Andrew Willians, of the Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, said: The guidance we have been given is that we should not be committing to more than one cycle.

We should prioritise supporting people returning from hospital to live independently.

It is the right thing to do.

But Coun Bob Lloyd (Lab, Wednesbury South), an opponent of the cuts proposal, told a Sandwell Council health scrutiny meeting: I think we should be raising the standard to Birmingham, not lowering it.

When women were getting paid less than men, we didnt decide to pay men less we raised the womans wage.

It is giving less to more.

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Councillors vote to halve free IVF treatment available to Black Country couples