Ayrshire And Arran

Scotland. NHS-funded fertility treatment guidance and eligibility criteria.

Confirmed
Areas covered

Arran, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire

Including neighbourhoods: Ardrossan, Ayr, Cumnock, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Kilwinning, Largs, Mauchline, Prestwick, Saltcoats, Stewarton, Troon

A national Scotland policy currently applies to all health boards.

Summary

Ayrshire And Arran currently funds 3 cycles of IVF for eligible patients. To qualify, you generally need to be under 42, have a BMI between 18.5 and 30, have no living children from any relationship. Both partners must be non-smokers.

IVF/ICSI

NHS-funded cycles
3 Full
Age Range
Up to 42
BMI requirement
18.5 to 30
IUI cycles required before IVF
6
Smoking
Non-smoker required
Endometriosis
Standard
Children from previous relationships
One partner must have no biological child.
Additional Notes
National Scottish policy (from 1 April 2017): Up to 3 cycles for women under 40; 1 cycle for women 40-42 (if no previous IVF NHS or private, no poor ovarian reserve). Fresh cycles must start before 40th birthday; frozen transfers before 41st. Both partners must be non-smoking. Neither partner sterilised. Couples must cohabit 2+ years. Same-sex couples require 6-8 cycles of donor insemination to demonstrate subfertility. Previous private IVF may be permitted if clinician deems further treatment warranted. 6-11 month gap between cycles.

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