Campaigner Disappointed by Proposed NHS Fertility Criteria Retaining Stepchild Rule

Sarah Curtiss, who was previously unable to access NHS fertility treatment due to her husband having a child from a prior relationship, has voiced her feeling of being “let down” by the recently proposed eligibility criteria. Ms. Curtiss, a 30-year-old resident of North Hykeham, suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome and had been attempting to conceive for an extended period. Following the denial of free in vitro fertilization (IVF), she initiated a campaign advocating for alterations to the guidelines governing access to treatment throughout the East Midlands region. These new proposals, developed subsequent to a review, continue to include the stepchild provision, despite assurances from NHS officials that final decisions are still pending. In 2021, Ms. Curtiss was instrumental in launching a petition, urging local health authorities to “update their antiquated policies.” She stated, “The policy needs to be changed so it’s fairer for families across the board.” Ms. Curtiss further commented, “I deserve to be a mum just as much as anyone else. To not have that opportunity simply because my partner chose to have a life before he even met me, it’s absurd and it’s not right.” Eighteen months prior, Ms. Curtiss had expressed approval regarding the announcement of an impending review of fertility policy throughout the East Midlands. Currently, five integrated care boards deliver fertility services, and the majority of their existing policies stipulate that neither partner should have living children. The objective of this review is to establish a unified policy for the entire region. Ms. Curtiss had previously indicated that she was assured the stepchild rule would be removed. Nevertheless, upon reviewing the proposed updated guidelines, she reported feeling “disappointed” and “let down.” Ms. Curtiss, who is currently pregnant, affirmed her commitment to advocating for other step-parents requiring assistance to have a child. She remarked, “If anything, this pregnancy has spurred me on. To know I’m going to be a mum is a magical experience and I want others to have that feeling.” A representative for NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board commented: “We are conscious of the strength of feelings around fertility treatments and any proposals made around them, and this is why we are asking people to complete our survey and share their views, which will feed into the final policy. It is important to emphasise that, whilst we have put forwards a proposal, no decisions have been made.”