NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is ahead of target for IVF treatment

In the first quarter of this year, 189 new patients for potential treatment were seen at the Glasgow IVF centre, with all but one having waited less than six months.

This is six months ahead of the Scottish Government target of 12 months.

Glasgow is one of four Scottish centres for IVF treatments with the others being located in Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh.

The NHSGGC centre treats local Glasgow and Clyde patients, as well as patients from referring Boards including Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran and Dumfries and Galloway.

Not only are patients being seen more quickly, pregnancy rates in Glasgow are higher than many centres in the UK.

For the first three months of 2019 the Assisted Conception Service based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary achieved a clinical pregnancy rate of 41 per cent, which is higher than the UK National average.

NHSGGC’s General Manager for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Michelle McLauchlan, said: “The development and maintenance of the state of the art facilities at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the implementation of a seven day service allowing women to have embryo transfers where required at weekends, continue to contribute to improved success rates.

“The development of the clinical facility is supported by Scottish Government and NHSGGC funding and a dedicated team of medical, nursing and embryology staff led by Dr Helen Lyall and Isabel Traynor are leading the way in changing clinical practice.”

Dr Helen Lyall, consultant and lead clinician for the Assisted Conception Service, said: “Our work in the ACS is a privilege and we are proud of our successes. However we are also very aware of the emotional burden often carried by the patients we treat and aim to provide a holistic approach to their care giving them the support they need.”