Government debate: funding for research into Fertility-related conditions

A debate is due to take place in Parliament on 1st November 2021 in response to a public petition to increase funding for research into Endometriosis and PCOS. The petition is calling for ‘more funding to enable new, extensive and thorough research into female health issues’.

Tees’ Family Law and Fertility expert Caroline Andrews is involved in the provision of information for MPs in order to assist the debate, and has been highlighting the long-term physical and emotional impact on women along with the resulting fertility issues that can occur.

A volunteer trustee of Verity the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) charity, it is Caroline’s view that the strong public response to the petition underlines the chronic underfunding of womens’ health conditions that has taken place in the UK over a number of years.

Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis can have a wide-ranging impact on a woman’s life not just on her health, but also on her employment attendance and recourse to fertility treatment. PCOS is a leading issue for women undertaking fertility treatment and the process can be time-consuming and complex with financial and legal issues to contend with at an already difficult time. 

If you are affected by one of these conditions and are looking to undergo fertility treatment, you can read Caroline’s article which outlines the important legal considerations and how we can help.