Introduction of storage fees in NHS Scotland on 1st September 2023

From 1st September 2023 the criteria for NHS funded storage will change to come into line with the current NHS criteria for treatment cycles.    Therefore if you have had successful treatment in the past, or are over the age of 43 then you will need to self fund storage of your gametes or embryos.   These changes have been agreed for all NHS Scotland centres and mean that some patients will have to pay a storage fee to store their embryos or gametes.   

The change will affect all patients who have gametes or embryos in storage and are no longer eligible for NHS funded treatment, but will not affect those freezing gametes or embryos for Fertility Preservation treatment.  

On the 1st September 2023, all patients undergoing the 1st, 2nd or 3rd egg collection for IVF treatment, and who are NHS funded, will be required to sign a nationally agreed patient contract and financial declaration.  NHS funded patients storing sperm after this date will also be required to sign this patient contract. The patient contract will be issued to you on the Fertility Consent platform along with your other consents.  

For any NHS funded patients who already have material in storage on the 1st September 2023, you may be required to pay a storage fee when your current storage period expires if you wish to extend your storage period.  

Please read the information sheet to see if the change applies to you.   If you have any questions please contact ACU Dundee directly.