IVF ban in South Australia partially lifted after fertility services cancelled to free up beds in coronavirus fight
The State Government has partially lifted a ban on IVF – but the backflip will only apply to some women.
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Women who were in the middle of an IVF cycle when elective surgery was banned are now able to complete their cycle, the State Government has announced.
The partial lift of the ban does not apply to people who may be preparing for a cycle – they are still not allowed to start their round.
State Co-ordinator, and Police Commissioner, Grant Stevens has issued a new direction under the Emergency Management Act, partially revoking a previous prohibition on IVF.
Fertility services were cancelled after the Federal Government announced on March 25 that elective surgery would be scrapped as part of the fightback against the coronavirus.
The move aimed to free up beds and medical resources in preparation for a possible escalation in COVID-19 cases.
In South Australia, all elective surgery was ceased, except emergency surgery and procedures that, if they were not performed, would lead to loss of life or limb or permanent disability.
Non-emergency but urgent surgery was also exempt when failure to carry out the procedure would lead to death, loss of a limb or permanent disability.
IVF services were not classed as falling into either of these categories, causing distress to many women and men undergoing or about to undergo treatment.
However, Mr Stevens has now made current cycles of IVF exempt from the ban.
“I have received expert advice from the Chief Public Health Officer and I am now of the opinion that it is necessary to modify the direction in so far as it is necessary to permit (six South Australian fertility clinics) to complete any cycle of IVF treatment that a patient has commenced prior to or after the (original ban) was issued,” he wrote in a new direction.
“(Clinics can also) complete any procedure required for the preservation of eggs for future IVF where required medical treatment will render eggs unviable.”
The direction allows the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Women’s and Children’s Health Network, Flinders Fertility, Repromed, Family Fertility and Fertility SA to continue existing rounds.
Health Minister Stephen Wade told ABC Radio Radio this morning that “there is some good news for some but in terms of starting new procedures, I can’t offer hope there”.
“Basically anyone who has already begun a cycle of IVF will be able to complete it and anyone who needs to complete a produce for the preservation of eggs will be able to complete that procedure,” he said.
“I think this direction shows that we are listening to the community. We are acting on public health advice. When we need to fine tune the directions, we will.”