Issue - meetings

To receive a briefing on the NHS proposals to suspend IVF (In vitro fertilization) treatment.

RECEIVED the document on NHS Haringey proposals to introduce a one year suspension of the provision of fertility treatments introduced by Andrew Williams (Interim Borough Director – NHS Haringey), Tamara Djuretic (Assistant Director of Public Health).  A discussion followed.

NOTED

• The Committee emphasised the need to consult with hospitals and GPs and the voluntary sector through HAVECO (Haringey Association of Voluntary and Community Organisations), as well as potential service users. The Council’s consultation department could provide assistance with this.
• Committee Members expressed concerns that the impact of the proposals would fall on lower income and black and minority ethnic residents who could not afford private treatment.
• The Committee noted that whilst treatment would be suspended the initial “work-up” for finding reasons for infertility would still be provided.
• The Committee recommended that the age limit of women who would be not be subject to the suspension of IVF/ICSI treatment be brought down to 38 from 40 in order to maximise their chances of success (Action No. 251.2).
• The Committee agreed that a formal response to the proposals to suspend IVF treatment be sent to the NHS (Action No. 251.1).
• In response to questions it was noted that one other borough (Kingston) had completely suspended its IVF treatment.
• A member expressed concern that the treatment might not be re-instated after the one-year suspension and was informed that whilst the suspension might start later than planned and will therefore run into the next financial year, it was a suspension and not a cessation of the service.

RESOLVED

i.    To note the briefing.

ii.   To recommended to NHS Haringey that the age limit of women who would not be subject to the suspension of the service be brought down from 40 to 38 by 31 March 2012 in order to maximise their chances of success.

iii.  That a formal response to the proposals to suspend IVF treatment be sent to the NHS by the Committee.

Urgent Item – Emergency Planning

RECEIVED the responses provided to the advance questions posed by Councillor Winskill on the Council and NHS joint responsibility to respond to serious incidents since the creation of the North Central London (NCL) cluster.  A discussion followed.

NOTED

• Robust systems were in place and the NHS was committed to responding to emergencies. 
• NHS North Central London including the NHS Haringey Borough Director  had conducted it’s own stress test and there were plans to conduct a joint a stress test with other agencies in the next 4 to 6 weeks. 
• There would always be a rota covering the NCL cluster areas at senior management level.