Individuals seeking fertility treatments like IVF now have the option to utilize a digital resource to compare NHS funding in their region to that of other parts of the United Kingdom.

The HFEA, a regulatory body, has created a unique dashboard that is believed to be the first of its kind. This dashboard provides access to data starting from 1991 and includes information on 665,690 patients. It is available for individuals seeking IVF and ICSI procedures, as well as for researchers.

One of the capabilities of the dashboard is the ability for users to sort through 34,725 newly added egg donors and 14,665 newly added sperm donors by year, ethnicity, and country of origin. Users can also view the number of patients who freeze or thaw their eggs each year, as well as the average age at which they do so. The dashboard also allows users to analyze trends in multiple birthrates per year and compare IVF success rates across different age groups.

The dashboard displays important data, including the fact that the proportion of cycles funded by NHS has decreased from 38% in 2009 to 26% in 2021, and the birth rate per embryo transferred has increased from 7% in 1991 to 23% in 2021.

According to Peter Thompson, the CEO of the HFEA, there are over 70,000 fertility procedures performed annually in the UK.

He stated, “With the advancements in the fertility industry in the last three decades, we now have the chance to enhance the way we present and exchange data. Our updated data dashboards signify a further move towards increased transparency in information.”

“For researchers, finding out vital data about fertility treatment in the UK previously meant submitting inquiries one by one. The launch of the dashboard will ensure our wealth of data can be used to gain further insight, which could, in turn, improve outcomes for all.”

Prof Adam Balen, consultant in reproductive medicine at Leeds teaching hospitals NHS trust, welcomed the availability of the data and the transparent approach of the HFEA, noting the HFEA’s data is the greatest repository of information about IVF in the world.

He stated that the updated dashboard allows researchers to obtain data for their studies and patients to access information that can help them make more informed decisions about their fertility journey. This will help clarify some of the complexities surrounding the statistics of treatment outcomes.

Stuart Lavery, a consultant in the field of reproductive medicine at University College London hospitals NHS foundation trust, expressed his approval for the UK regulator’s latest dashboard. This user-friendly tool presents complex data in a clear and easy-to-understand format, which will benefit both patients and clinics.

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This serves as a great example of utilizing data from the world’s largest IVF database to help patients in their search for fertility treatment.

I suggest my patients use this, but it’s important to have a personalized consultation with your fertility doctor to fully understand your specific situation and chances of success.

Source: theguardian.com