Belfast Hsc Trust

Northern Ireland. NHS-funded fertility treatment guidance and eligibility criteria.

Confirmed
Areas covered

Belfast

Including neighbourhoods: Andersonstown, Botanic, Castlereagh, Dundonald, East Belfast, Falls, Finaghy, Lisburn Road, Malone, Newtownbreda, North Belfast, Ormeau, Shankill, South Belfast, Stranmillis, West Belfast

A national Northern Ireland policy currently applies to all health boards.

Summary

Belfast Hsc Trust currently funds 1 cycle of IVF for eligible patients. To qualify, you generally need to be under 42, have a BMI between 19 and 30, have no living children from any relationship. Both partners must be non-smokers.

IVF/ICSI

NHS-funded cycles
1 Full
Age Range
Up to 42
BMI requirement
19 to 30
IUI cycles required before IVF
None
Smoking
Non-smoker required
Endometriosis
Standard
Children from previous relationships
Treatment subject to HFEA welfare of the child assessment.
Additional Notes
NI policy (revised June 2019): 1 fresh and 1 frozen embryo transfer funded. Women under 40 eligible; women 40-42 eligible if no previous IVF, no low ovarian reserve. Neither partner can have had 3+ previous IVF cycles (NHS or private). No voluntary sterilisation (either partner). Embryo storage funded for 2 years from treatment date.

Funding varies by postcode

NHS IVF funding varies significantly across the UK. Depending on which health board your GP is registered with, you may be entitled to a different number of cycles — or different criteria may apply. If you haven't already, it's worth exploring the map to understand the full picture.

See the funding map

What next?

I think I may be eligible. What do I do now?I'm not sure I'm eligible, or I don't think I am