Assisted human reproduction treatment now available in Galway

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has announced that patients are officially being referred through Regional Fertility Hubs for publicly funded assisted human reproduction.

Assisted human reproduction (AHR) is now available in six hospitals nationwide, including University Hospital Galway.

Eligible patients will be entitled to one full cycle of IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) treatment.

The treatment can only be provided in a HSE-approved private clinic of their choice.

For certain cohorts of patients, up to three episodes of IUI (intrauterine insemination) can be made available.

The commencement fulfils the Programme for the Government’s commitment to provide a publicly funded model of care for fertility treatment.

It is supported by an investment of €31 million in 2022 and over €69 million in Budget 2023.

Minister Donnelly stated that “cost should not be a barrier to accessing clinical intervention”.

The HSE advises people experiencing fertility issues to present to their GP as the first step.

If further treatment is required, they may be referred to their local Regional Fertility Hub.

Patients whose fertility issues cannot be managed in these hubs are now being referred for AHR treatment in private clinics.

The service is an interim measure to the ultimate objective of the Government- a complete publicly-provided fertility service.

The first public National AHR Centre is being scheduled to open next year.

Full details of access criteria for publicly funded AHR treatment were announced in July and are available here.