Debate contribution: In Vitro Fertilisation Equality

Debate contribution by Mr Harry Harvey on 22 June 2026.

MLA: Mr Harry Harvey
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 22 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Opposition Business
Heading: In Vitro Fertilisation Equality
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5638527

Text

We all know somebody who has experienced the heartbreak and challenges of infertility. Around one in seven couples experiences difficulty conceiving, yet many continue to carry the burden in silence due to the stigma that still surrounds it. It is time that we give those individuals and couples a voice. It is time to show that they have been heard, by expanding publicly funded IVF provision in Northern Ireland to meet the recommendations set out in the NICE guidelines and providing access to up to three cycles of IVF treatment. A member of staff from my office underwent NHS-funded IVF treatment after campaigning against proposed cuts to the vital service. Unfortunately, their NHS-funded treatment was unsuccessful, so they were forced to pursue private treatment. However, the information that was gathered from that initial cycle with the NHS enabled clinicians to make minor adjustments to their treatment plan, so their very first private cycle was successful. For many couples, the first IVF cycle provides a valuable insight into how an individual responds to medication and procedures. That information can then be used to tailor future treatment cycles, significantly improving the chances of success. That is why access to multiple cycles is so important. The evidence speaks for itself. The cumulative pregnancy rate for IVF treatment is approximately 32% after the first cycle, rising to around 55% after the second cycle and reaching between 65% and 70% after the third cycle. Those figures demonstrate why limiting access to a single cycle falls short of providing meaningful support to those struggling with infertility. No couple chooses to embark on the IVF journey. For many women and couples who long to have children, it is not a choice but a necessity, because natural conception is simply not always possible. The emotional, physical and financial toll can be immense. If we are serious about tackling inequality in healthcare and supporting families across Northern Ireland, we must ensure fair access to fertility treatment. Introducing three publicly funded IVF cycles would bring Northern Ireland closer to the standards that NICE recommends and offer hope to thousands of individuals and couples facing one of the most difficult journeys of their lives. Those experiencing infertility deserve to know that they are not alone, that their struggles are recognised and that the Assembly is committed to providing them with the support that they need to build the family that they dream of having.

403 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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