NHS criteria change for number of cycles if female partner aged 40 to 42 years old

From January 2026 the Scottish Government have updated the NHS criteria for number of cycles if female partner aged 40 to 42 years.    This was reviewed based on the number of pregnancies resulting from treatment for women in this age group in all 4 Scottish NHS IVF Centres.  

All couples referred for NHS funded IVF treatment in this age group, who have never had an IVF treatment cycle before, will no longer automatically be eligible for one NHS funded cycle.    The female patient will need to attend for an AMH blood test prior to confirmation of being placed on the NHS IVF waiting list.    If the AMH blood test comes back less than 5.4pmol/L then unfortunately you will not be eligible for any NHS funding.  

If an AMH blood test (anti mullerian hormone) has been performed elsewhere in the 12 months before referral and has been less than 5.4pmol/L, we will not repeat this blood test and this will mean that you are not eligible for NHS funding.