UNISON condemns proposed discontinuation of licensed IVF treatment centre in Hartlepool

UNISON Northern has welcomed the prospect of further legal action from a Local Authority over the future provision of Fertility Services at Hartlepool Hospital in light of what it considers to be ‘questionable circumstances’ over the discontinuation of licensed IVF treatment in the town.

Mike Hill, UNISON Regional Organiser, said:

‘As Hartlepool’s MP, Ian Wright and many others, UNISON is concerned that the loss of licensed IVF treatment, in what only can considered to be questionable  circumstances, is simply a delivery by the CCG of the original agenda set by North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.  If this is the case, then like the people of Hartlepool and the communities they serve, our members will feel badly let down by an outcome that flies in the face of the will of the people.

Our members in the Assisted Reproduction Unit have worked tirelessly and under a great deal of pressure to keep the service going and are stunned that the CCG appears to have fallen at the final hurdle, especially given the known expressions of interest from experienced providers, including we understand, from a specialist NHS organisation.

Whatever the merits of the case may be for not awarding the contract for licensed treatment at a unit which has a national reputation for delivering IVF treatment, it is only right to question why and how the procurement process failed to attract an appropriate provider. At a time when there is a great deal of uncertainty within the NHS and when we should be supporting the gradual return of services to the Hospital, the loss of this five star service does not instil confidence.’