Jersey politician to give more people access to IVF

Deputy Lucy Stephenson wants to see a new funding model for IVF in Jersey after finding no evidence to suggest the current one works.

In her report, the former Sports Minister found no proof that anyone in the island has qualified for fully funded IVF treatment due to the low threshold - something she says 'rings alarm bells'.

Currently, someone who suffers from infertility would have to have a combined annual household income of less than £40,795 to have their costs fully covered.

Islanders who do not qualify can have their medication costs covered by the government, which is around £1,000 for up to three cycles of treatment if they are under the age of 42.

Deputy Lucy Stephenson says IVF should not be a luxury for just those who can afford it.

"Infertility is a disease and islanders deserve fair and equal access to treatment, there's also Human Rights to consider.

Jersey Huan Rights Law says that 'people have the right to marry and found a family' and I think that we should consider access to fertility treatment in that context."

Deputy Lucy Stephenson of St. Mary, St. Ouen and St. Peter

Jersey's fertility rate is one of the lowest in the world (between 2020 and 2022) at 1.3. Countries typically need a rate of 2.1 to maintain a stable population.

The new funding model would reflect clinical guidance to ensure that islanders can access the 'right' funding going forward and can access treatment.

Deputy Stephenson says creating a new model could be a worthwhile investment into the island's future.

"Jersey has a declining birth rate, yet we know we have an aging demographic as well.

We should be doing all that we can to support islanders who want to have a family but who may need a bit of extra help to do so.

I think it's actually a very good return on investment to invest in this way in helping to create the islanders and taxpayers of the future."