Have your say on IVF cycles

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is something that can help people with fertility problems who may find it harder to get pregnant. Each try of IVF is known as an IVF cycle. NHS Greater Manchester is reviewing the number of times people can try IVF treatment across Greater Manchester.

Depending on where you live, the number of IVF cycles you get might not be the same as other people. Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership are looking at how they can make sure people living across Greater Manchester get the same access to IVF treatment.

What is currently offered

There is one Greater Manchester Policy for Assisted Conception (including IVF). The number of IVF cycles that the NHS will pay for is different across Greater Manchester, depending on where the patients GP practice is based.

Things are different across Greater Manchester because the number of cycles were agreed when there were ten different NHS organisations, known as Clinical Commissioning Groups, making the decisions about healthcare.

In July 2022, the ten Clinical Commissioning Groups were replaced by one organisation known as NHS Greater Manchester. NHS Greater Manchester is one of 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England. ICBs are NHS organisations responsible for planning health services for their local population. 

Number of cycles currently offered across Greater Manchester

For eligible people aged 39 and under, with a GP in these areas, the NHS will pay for:

• Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Manchester, Oldham and Trafford patients can get 1 cycle of IVF (and receive a second try for a cancelled or abandoned cycles)
• Salford, Stockport and Wigan patients can get 2 IVF cycles (this includes cancelled or abandoned cycles)
• Tameside patients can get 3 IVF cycles (this includes cancelled or abandoned)

Find out more about IVF cycles in Greater Manchester