This Kent and Medway assisted reproductive technologies policy June 2024 sets out which assisted reproductive technologies interventions are available and the eligibility criteria Kent and Medway patients are required to fulfil in order to access these on the NHS.
Earlier this year, NHS Kent and Medway changed the criteria for fertility services. The ICB has reviewed its decision-making process for this policy change and has agreed to reinstate the previous policy (see link above) while it carries out a full review of the ART offer.
The review of fertility services and further engagement will form part of the ICB's commissioning intentions for 2027/28 and will take place over the summer (2026).
In the meantime, the criteria for fertility services has returned to what it was before the 1 April 2026 - w omen will be eligible for the NHS treatment offer up to the age of 40 years (treatment to start before 40th birthday); women who meet NHS Kent and Medway eligibility criteria will be eligible for a maximum of two funded cycles and women who meet NHS Kent and Medway eligibility criteria will be eligible for a maximum of four embryo transfers across.
Treatment is funded by NHS Kent and Medway but only where a patient meets the eligibility criteria set out in the relevant policy and their doctor has obtained funding approval before the treatment is performed; this is called 'prior approval'.
Requests for prior approval should be submitted to: scwcsu.ifrsoutheast@nhs.net.
The treating doctor must complete and submitthe Assisted Conception and Fertility Preservation Prior Approval Form.
Once you have received prior approval, you will need to consider which Kent and Medway provider you would like to complete your treatment. This chart may support your decision-making: Assisted reproductive technologies provider locations chart.
For patients not meeting the eligibility criteria, or if a treatment is not usually funded, the ICB will only fund the treatment if an individual funding request (IFR) application is successful. Your doctor can make a IFR request if they think you meet the criteria for 'exceptionality' or 'rarity'.
Visit our individual funding requests page for more information.
Hospitals and other health care providers should be aware that payment may be withheld if prior approval was not given prior to the procedure being carried out.