• Women aged between 23-39 years at time of treatment
• Cause for infertility identified, or have had infertility problems for at least 3 years
• Whether either of the couple already have children

Age discrimination?
Even if not funded by NHS, IVF not recommended above age 42 because chance of being successful is too low to justify treatment- > 42yrs of age chance of success 5% and less.

• Issues relating to use and disposal of multiple eggs which some may not agree with- even though legally in the UK the foetus has no rights until it is born
• 'Post-code lottery'- funding for IVF differs across UK depending on where you live and which PCT you come under- some will give IVF even if you have children already, if you have not been trying for 3 years and may be offered 3-6 cycles depending on where you live. Some argue that this is unfair as it is not standardised care and that is solely dependent on where you happen to live.
• This patient knows her husband has been unfaithful to her, but is only staying with him because she wants a baby. What will happen after she has a child? Is it ethical for her to proceed with a pregnancy in such circumstances?

• Success of IVF depends on age- she is 39, by the time she has the treatment she will probably be 40 years old- at which point the success rate is only 11%, compared to 29% if she was <35 years old
• Does she have an identifiable cause for her infertility?
• She does not meet the criteria for having IVF in her area so the doctor can only help with some of her problems- he can only identify any fertility problems that she has, but cannot carry out IVF because of her partner.
• Is the patient emotionally ready for the commitment? She seems to have various issues within her relationship, and a requirement for IVF is counselling prior to proceeding. She may not be prepared for what IVF entails and how stressful it will be on her body and life in general.

• Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008
• Evans v. UK (2006)
• Department of Health review of HFEA act, 2006
• Article 8, European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)