Coronavirus (COVID-19): fertility treatment - plans for restarting treatment - framework
In response to the direct threat of COVID-19 to patients, the wider Scottish population and NHS Scotland services, all NHS funded Scottish centres took the decision to pause services from 17 March 2020. This document sets out the plans for restarting fertility services from 18 May 2020.
This document is part of a collection
14 Appendix 4 – Road map
Phase 1 |
Phase 2 |
Phase 3 |
Phase 4 |
Phase 5 |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Treatments that can be done Only if patients wish to proceed |
Urgent Fertility preservation Frozen embryo transfer Donor insemination (DI) (natural cycle only) Diagnostics where feasible Treatment for only those without comorbidities |
In addition to phase 1 Start of stimulation in older women (≥ 40 years) Ovulation Induction (oral) Treatment for only those without comorbidities |
In addition to phase 2 Ovulation Induction (injectables) DI with stimulation Start of stimulation in younger women Treatment for only those without comorbidities |
In addition to phase 3 Non urgent Fertility preservation Treatment in those with co morbidities |
In addition to phase 4 Donor recruitment |
Conditions to be satisfied to move to next phase |
Easing of lockdown restrictions progressing as planned No further suspension of activity by HFEA No evidence of detrimental effect of Pregnancy on Covid and vice versa |
In addition to requirements in phase 1 Low incidence of OHSS Staff returning from deployed areas as planned |
In addition to requirement in phase 2 Low incidence of OHSS |
In addition to requirement in phase 3 Full staff complement Social distancing rules relaxed |
Full resumption of all services back to pre -Covid state |
Conditions to step to previous phase |
Government Ease down restriction tightening Complications during treatment Not adequate staff (either deployed/ self- isolation) |
Government Ease down restriction tightening Complications during treatment Not adequate staff (either deployed/ self- isolation) |
Government Ease down restriction tightening Complications during treatment Not adequate staff (either deployed/ self- isolation) |
Government Ease down restriction tightening Complications during treatment Not adequate staff (either deployed/ self- isolation) |
Assumptions for Road map
- Emergency fertility preservation will continue throughout, this include sperm cryo preservation when immediate IVF/ICSI not possible, and sperm count declining
- Moving in phases is not dependent on testing strategies as that will be covered in Government policies
- Diagnostic means semen analysis (which all centres may not wish to proceed) and HyCoSy and USG as that will be required prior to DI and other treatments
- Those waiting for surgery (due to any reason) will need to wait for NHS theatre lists
Pre- implantation Genetic testing – depends on NSD s decision as to which phase they can be done.
Contact
Email: anthea.taylor@gov.scot
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