NHS footing bill for fertility treatment abroad

Many British women are risking their health by getting fertility treatment abroad, with the NHS having to pay for the aftercare.

A study by University College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust suggested that the high cost of fertility treatment in the UK is the reason why many are heading to foreign countries.

Dr Alastair McKelvey from the foetal medicine unit at the trust, said: "We are concerned because these pregnancies are often very high-risk and present the NHS with considerable challenges.

"Couples are understandably desperate to have children and may think that these treatments are a quick-fix or a good bargain, without considering the potential adverse outcomes."

He added that there are "genuine concerns" about the risks of going abroad with many couples not being "properly counselled".

Some of the dangers include cerebral palsy and maternal death.

The study by University College Hospital found that one in four women who got pregnant through fertility treatment that resulted in triplets was having it done abroad.

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