Information for patients with stored embryos at The Hewitt Fertility Centre

IVF is offered on the NHS if certain criteria are met. Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) make the final decision about who can have NHS-funded IVF treatment in their local area, and criteria may differ in different areas of residence in accordance with your local ICB policy.

If people don’t meet the criteria for their specific area, they will need to self-fund their treatment. 

Treatment (frozen embryo transfer)

Following IVF, you may be eligible for further NHS funded Frozen Embryo Transfers (FETs), but it is important to note that some ICBs state that:

‘Once a patient is accepted for subfertility treatment, they will no longer be eligible for further treatment if a pregnancy leading to a live birth occurs, including naturally, or if the patient adopts a child.’

Once you have a child, you are unfortunately no longer eligible for NHS funded treatment and any onward care you choose must be self-funded.

Embryo/egg/sperm storage

The standard storage consent period for sperm, egg and embryo storage is normally ten years in line with The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority guidance, however, please understand that not all ICB’s will pay for storage for this entire period of time.  

Going forward, if you have to pay for your sperm/egg/embryo storage, we will be in contact to discuss this payment from April 2025.  The current cost for one year’s storage of sperm is £227.00 and Embryos is £227.00. This charge will see a small increase each year.

This information will have been highlighted to you in your initial funding letter from the Hewitt Fertility Centre.

If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us Contact Us via email | The Hewitt Fertility Centre