The Fertility Tourism Survey 2020 is a joint initiative launched by the International Fertility Company, Fertility Network UK, FertilityClinicsAbroad, EggDonationFriends, and WhereIVF.com to identify the reasons why anyone would consider travelling for fertility treatment. Building on a similar exercise conducted in 2016 the survey is designed to shape future support services offered to patients who travel and to assist treatment providers to design and provide services that are responsive and appropriate to the needs of patients.
Representatives from the survey partners explain the rationale behind the survey.
Andrew Coutts, Managing Director of the International Fertility Company said,
We are acutely aware that travel restrictions and the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 means that fertility travel is impossible at the moment. We feel however that this is a perfect time to launch this piece of research. It will offer support agencies and treatment providers patient insight and enable them to shape future provision. When travel resumes, we would like this survey to have some influence on future support offered to patients who seek fertility treatment outside their home country.
Gwenda Burns, Chief Executive of Fertility Network UK reiterates the value of the piece of work,
I think everyone would agree that the majority of fertility patients would ideally like to have treatment close to home. There are however many who wish to travel and Fertility Network UK provide a wrap around service for individuals and couples who decide to go down this route. We offer a dedicated phone line managed by a Fertility Nurse and a range of online support services both pre and post travel. This survey is a great opportunity for patients to highlight the support they want from organisations such as ours and the clinics themselves.
The 2020 Survey is also supported by the IVF Media Group who were involved in the previous survey in 2016. Chief Executive, Jacob Dejewski explains their continued involvement in the project,
There is a lot of anecdotal information about why people are travelling for fertility treatment and the support they require but we wanted to help to formalise these reasons and share them with treatment providers in order that they provide services which are more suited to the specific needs of the patient.
The survey is open to anyone who has travelled or is considering to travel (when restrictions are lifted) from any country. Each person who completes the survey can download a free copy of ‘IVF Abroad – Patients Guide 2020’, an independent guide to fertility treatment and legislation across Europe produced in association with EggDonationFriends.com and the International Fertility Company.
The survey closes on 31 May 2020 and is also accessible here.
