FOI – 2025-000269 Waiting Times for Fertility Treatment (HTML)

Date received – 22 Aug 25 | Date responded – 03 Sept 25

Request

Fertility Scotland's aim of equitable and consistent fertility care is a laudable one. To that end, please can you provide details of the current average waiting times for patients between referral from primary care to the beginning of fertility treatment (i e., the first round of IVF, not initial consultation) and how this compares between all NHS fertility clinics around Scotland. If this data is publicly available, I would be grateful for a link to the most recent publication.

Response

We have now completed the search of our records and can provide you with the following information:

Under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act, 2002 (FOISA) an organisation does not have to provide that information if it does not hold it. NHS National Services Scotland does not hold the information relating to patient waiting times for fertility treatment as the capture of waiting time data is not within the remit of the network.

Under Section 25 of FOISA an organisation does not have to provide that information if it is already publicly accessible elsewhere on the internet. The information relating to the average waiting times for fertility treatment with comparison between the NHS Scotland fertility clinics is published and available on Public Health Scotland website using the following link - IVF waiting times in Scotland - Quarter ending 31 March 2025 - IVF waiting times in Scotland - Publications - Public Health Scotland

I trust you will find the information of assistance and if you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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