Founded in 2004, LGBT+ History month is a national campaign focused on promoting equality and diversity for the benefit of all by celebrating and uplifting LGBTQ+ people. This year's theme for LGBT+ History Month is: Under The Scope, contribution to the field of Medicine and Healthcare both historically and today.

The 2024 annual theme hopes to showcase the amazing work of LGBT+ staff across the NHS and in other healthcare settings, in providing healthcare. Whilst still shining a light on the history of the LGBT+ community’s experience of receiving healthcare which has been extremely complicated leaving LGBT+ people still facing health inequalities even today.

In this My Barca Story, Ruth tells all about her fertility journey, learnings and experience.

By Ruth Labella (HR Assistant)

After my wife and I got married in August 2022, we decided we would like to start a family. At that point, we had no clue about what our options were and we didn’t know anybody else who had been through it.

In September 2022 we discussed our options with our GP, to find out as much information as we could. The GP was friendly and understanding but unfortunately, she wasn’t able to provide us with much information about fertility treatment for same sex couples. She referred us to the fertility clinic at Seacroft hospital and told us the wait for an appointment would be up to 40 weeks.

In the meantime, we set out doing our own research on what might be available on the NHS. We found out that West Yorkshire is one of only 4 integrated care boards in the country that offers fertility treatment to female sex-sex couples without the need for them having to self-fund their treatment first. 

The criteria that we needed to meet in order to be eligible is;

· Have no existing children

· Aged 18-42

· Have been together for 2+ years and cohabiting

· Have a BMI of 19-30

· Non-smoker

Fortunately, in the summer of 2023 the consultant advised that we met the criteria; we would be eligible for 6 rounds of IUI (intrauterine insemination) and 1 round of IVF(In vitro fertilisation) funded through the NHS.  We felt extremely lucky and grateful to be in that position. But also felt sadness and frustration for other couples who weren’t as lucky as us, simply based on a postcode lottery.

In 2022,the government pledged to remove additional financial barriers for female same sex couples in England as part of the women’s health strategy. Unfortunately, this is a 10-year strategy and local ICB’s still get to choose how to delegate NHS funding. Most regional health boards in England still require female same-sex couples to self-fund at least 6 cycles of IUI before they are eligible for NHS treatment. Some even require up to 12 cycles of self-funded treatment. On average, the costs for each cycle are between £700 to £1600. So, for some couples, they can be almost £20,000 out of pocket before they are eligible for NHS treatment.

We have since joined an LGBTQ+ fertility support network. They hold monthly meetings on Zoom where you can meet other couples from across the UK. We found these meetings extremely helpful and have now made friends with others going through a similar experience. On reflection, after finding out more about the situation in other parts of the UK, our 40-week wait was nothing. Couples in Scotland and Ireland can be on the NHS waiting list for up to 2-3 years, to then be told that they need to pay privately first. 

Throughout this process, people we know have understandably had questions about what is involved. We have been very open from the start and do not mind answering any questions that people have. The only time I have felt uncomfortable, was when someone asked the question, “why don’t you just adopt?”.  Although there wasn’t any ill intent behind this, I wonder whether the same question would be asked to a heterosexual couple who aren’t able to conceive naturally.

On the whole, we have felt very supported throughout our journey so far. From the staff at the fertility clinic to our friends, families and colleagues. Again, I feel grateful for this as I know there are plenty of other couples who are not so lucky to have that same support from their loved ones.