Ivf On The Nhs

[mrs_overall]

Another post on population growth got me thinking about this. The NHS is already stretched to capacity and infertility is not a life threatening illness. IMO no one has the "right" to have a child and I don't see why NHS resources should be spent on IVF,
Your thoughts?

[naomi24]

//Nose jobs and boob jobs are cosmetic procedures carried out by people with image hang-ups, //

I don't agree that those operations should be funded by the NHS either - they like IVF, are 'wanted' rather than 'needed.

[craft1948]

I'm assuming you mean they can afford to bring up a child if the mother returns to work then? Otherwise they could save all the woman's salary towards IVF.

[NoMercy]

I don't need IVF, Jeza. I'm not infertile.

I just don't think it's selfish to ask for help for such a worthy cause.

Naomi, if people choose to put their health in danger, should the tax payer foot the bill?

[woofgang]

sherrard, are you talking about dental braces? Adults can't get dental braces on the NHS unless it is to correct a medical problem.

[woofgang]

NoM I don't think its selfish either, I just don't think that the NHS should fund it.

[naomi24]

What about sportsmen ... or taking it a bit further .....people who opt to join the fire brigade...or police divers, for example? They all 'choose' to endanger their own health, and often their lives. Should we not treat them?

[sherrardk]

I just googled dental braces to see how much a simple medical type procedure would cost (couldn't think of any other procedure that I knew the name of). The cost I quoted is for private treatment but I was amazed to see that you can get braces for 2 - 2 1/2k (privately - dont know the actual NHS cost) but IVF 'only' costs around 4k.

[Jeza]

Nom. Surely we put ourselves in danger each time we go out. Driving, crossing the road etc. etc.
No one has commented on my post about denied cancer drugs.

[237SJ]

Having kids isn`t a right, it`s a lifestyle choice. Likewise, not having kids is a lifestyle choice but nobody seems to question the fact that contraception is free on the NHS. I don`t have a problem with the NHS funding IVF but I think that both IVF and contraception should be means tested as far as the NHS is concerned.

[woofgang]

Jeza what can I say....you know it happens, I know it happens. Even with the best will in the world, appointments sometimes aren't arranged quickly enough and funding decisions take too long. Palliative care, especially at home is drastically underfunded.

[NoMercy]

They don't choose to endanger their own lives, Naomi. They do a risky job that frequently involves saving the lives of others. I think this thread is now scaling new heights of silliness and so I'll bow out now.

Good night all.

[woofgang]

237sj, its a pragmatic decision, if contraception wasn't free, the NHS would be funding many more abortions.

[Jeza]

But it would appear IVF is not woof.

[craft1948]

The first Mr Craft paid for his (non NHS) vasectomy...............

[237SJ]

Woofgang, they wouldn`t though because the people that can pay for contraception would pay and those that can`t would get it on the NHS.

[woofgang]

I know Jeza, I know.

[naomi24]

NoM, ok, forget the firemen and police divers. What about sportsmen?

Jeza, //No one has commented on my post about denied cancer drugs.//

If you read one of my posts here from this morning, you will see that I mentioned something to that effect there.

[woofgang]

uh no, 237sj, there are many people who wouldn't want to be means tested for what ever reason...additionally means testing costs money..even allowing for running clinics, I bet that issuing contraception free is way cheaper than a means testing process would be.

[Jeza]

I'll take a look naomi. I did say I hadn't read the whole thread.

[Jeza]

I've now read your posts naomi and I must say I totally agree with you.