|
Messages of support have been arriving for NID from all over
the UK.
Rt Hon. Gordon Brown MP, Prime
Minister
Professor Robert Edwards, Patron
of NID
Rt Hon. David Cameron MP, Leader
of the Opposition
Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal
Democrats
Rt Hon. Alex Salmond, MSP, First
Minister of Scotland
Edwina Hart, AM, MBE, Minister
for Health and Social Services
British Androlology Society
Matthew Wright, The Wright Stuff
Vivienne Parry, Journalist
Royal College of Nursing
Cheryl Baker
|
On behalf of the British Andrology Society
The British Andrology Society wishes every success to the
organisers and supporters of National Infertility Day. National
Infertility Day plays a unique role in bringing patients,
professionals and the public together to spread knowledge
and promote understanding of infertility and of each other.
It is a chance to meet old friends and make new ones, to share
experiences, and help others to learn from them.
Those of us who can be there look forward to it, and those
of us who cannot wish everyone a very successful and enjoyable
day.
Sue Avery
I am delighted to lend my support to
National Infertility Day 2008. It’s a subject we discuss
regularly on The Wright Stuff and I’m constantly amazed
at the number of calls we receive from those with stories
of how it’s affected their lives.
It’s great that there’s an organisation out there
like Infertility Network UK giving the 1 in 6 people with
fertility problems somewhere to turn to help cope with the
difficulties they face.
MATTHEW WRIGHT
Message from Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP
First Minister of Scotland
As First Minister of Scotland, I am delighted to be able
to offer a message of support for the fourth National Infertility
Day, which will also mark the 30th anniversary of the birth
of Louise Brown, the first baby to be born following IVF treatment.
The Scottish Government recognizes infertility as an important
health issue for those couples who have difficulties conceiving.
We believe that there should be fair and equitable access
for those seeking IVF and assisted conception treatments.
That is why, in 2000, the Government produced guidance advising
NHS Boards in Scotland on eligibility for couples seeking
level III Assisted Conception Treatment. These national guidelines
were developed by an expert group to help provide a uniformity
of access that did not previously e4xist. We are currently
collecting data from NHS Boards that will help inform our
options to take forward more work in this area, and we will
continue to work with experts and stakeholders to improve
access to treatment in Scotland.
I give my full support to National Infertility Day. I would
like to congratulate both Infertility Network UK and ACeBabes
for bringing together the array of highly respected speakers
and exhibits here today. I’m sure it will promote lively
discussion and enable delegates to learn more about the causes
and treatment of infertility.
Finally, I would like to send my best wishes to the organizers,
respected guest speakers and participants, for a successful,
worthwhile, and informative event.
Alex Salmond
National Infertility Day
I understand the stress and heartache that infertility can
cause families. From talking to some of my constituents I
know that suffering from infertility can be heart-wrenching.
We stand by NICE guidelines which call for everyone to have
one cycle with a view of working towards three. However, in
reality, many primary care trusts will not pay for more cycles
as infertility has to fight with other scarce NHS resources.
We believe that local communities should be able to play
a much more active role in determining what NHS services are
offered beyond core treatments – one of which could
be infertility treatment.
All best wishes
Nick Clegg MP
Leader of the Liberal Democrats
THE PRIME MINISTER
“I recognize couples’ heartfelt wish to have
children and their need to do all they can to make this happen.
This Government is working directly with Infertility Network
UK, as well as experts in the NHS, to ensure that the needs
of people with fertility problems are recognized and addressed.
National Infertility Day is a time for people to share experiences
and hear about developments. It is also a time for people
with fertility problems to reinforce the message that their
needs are important. I wish National Infertility Day every
success.
Gordon Brown
National Infertility Day
2008
I would like to send my best wishes to everyone attending
this year’s National Infertility Day event.
This is an important event in recognition of the vital importance
of infertility treatment to many families across the UK.
I know of the work that Infertility Network UK and ACeBabes
carry out throughout the year in providing advice, support
and information, and also in campaigning for access to infertility
treatment following the NICE recommendations in 2004 and the
accompanying commitment from the Government.
There remains gaps in coverage and many inconsistencies of
approach. Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has raised
the issue with the Prime Minister, and we will continue to
hold the Government to account on the issue of access to high
quality fertility services.
I am sure it will be a highly successful conference.
Rt Hon David Cameron MP
Leader of the Opposition
The Minister would like to thank you for
inviting her to attend the fourth National Infertility Day
to be held on 19 July but is unable to attend on this occasion.
The Minister would like to pass on her best wishes for a successful
event.
Many thanks
Vicky Best
Diary Secretary to Edwina Hart AM MBE
Ysgrifennydd Dyddiadur i Edwina Hart AC
Minister for Health and Social Services /
Y Gweinidog dros Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol
I think one of the things that's really
impressed me about these events is the warmth and sense of
fellowship amongst those who attend it. Its generated I feel
sure by the fact that they all either face or have faced variations
of the same problem.
Vivienne Parry, Journalist
Infertility affects one in six couples
today and most of your readers will know someone who has been
affected by this illness. On top of the suffering and deep
emotional distress infertility brings, many of these couples
will face an additional battle in accessing NHS treatment
which was promised to them by government four years ago and
yet in some areas is still being denied – a postcode
lottery which is adding to their suffering but which by now
should be history.
Infertility Network UK and ACeBabes, both vital charities
working to help those affected by infertility, are again organising
National Infertility Day which will be held in central London
on 19th July 2008.
National Infertility Day is a unique event, bringing together
infertility patient associations, health professionals and
patients in what is the largest, most comprehensive conference
in the infertility calendar. There will be speakers from clinics
across the country together with an exhibition area where
delegates can gather information from a wide variety of exhibitors,
including Clinics, Patient Organisations, Pharmaceutical companies,
Medical Supply Companies, Complementary Therapists and many
more.
This year marks the 30th birthday of Louise Brown, and I
am extremely proud to have been involved in her birth, the
first in the UK from IVF treatment. In my many years working
in this field I have seen the devastating effect which infertility
has on the lives of sufferers as well as that of their family
and friends. This event is aimed at providing them with first
hand, valuable information not available anywhere else under
one roof. I would ask you, your staff, and your readers to
support National Infertility Day and urge anyone who is encountering
fertility problems to inform and empower themselves by coming
along to this year’s event.
Professor Robert Edwards
Patron of National Infertility Day
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Fertility
Nurses Group (FNG) wholeheartedly supports the work of Infertility
UK (INUK) and the National Infertility Day. INUK continues
to lobby Government for equity of access throughout the UK
to NHS-funded IVF and full implementation of the NICE guidelines
as outlined in 2004. Around 40,000 IVF treatment cycles are
carried out each year in the UK, the highest proportion of
which, are self-funded.
This year's National Infertility Day (NID) conference recognises
30 years of IVF, yet after years of tireless campaigning for
equity of access to fertility treatment, INUK has seen little
change. In 1988, the Journal of Nursing Management published
a paper entitled ‘Equity and rationing in the NHS: past
to present’ (Malone, 1988). Twenty years on, and with
little progress, suggests that, the past is sadly the present.
Furthermore, as a result of the UK Government’s inability
to prioritise fertility treatment as a healthcare need, many
couples have sought and will continue to seek treatment abroad.
At the RCN FNG conference in February 2007 we addressed the
potential health risks in the UK due to ‘lack of regulation’
- global health risks such as blood borne viruses which may
threaten the UK population as a whole. At a time when stakeholder
groups in the UK are working towards elective single embryo
transfer, The RCN FNG is very concerned about the increasing
numbers of couple going overseas for fertility treatment and
how this may affect our multiple birth rates in the UK. INUK
recently launched a fertility tourism survey and is seeking
the views and experiences of people who may have sought treatment
outside the UK, the results of which will be presented at
National Infertility Day in July. We await its findings.
Val Peddie
Chair RCN FNG
"To everyone involved in National
Infertility Day 2008. Wish I could be with you. The work you
do is wonderful. Have a great day. Cheryl Baker xx"
|
