Ratification Date: 01/04/2026

Next Review Date: 01/04/2028

Cryopreservation of sperm, oocytes and embryos in patients whose treatment poses a risk to their fertility (Freezing sperm, eggs, or embryos before medical treatment)

Freezing & storage of Sperm/Eggs/Embryos

Threshold

 

Note 1: Preservation of gametes should take place when there is a confirmed timetable for the start of the patient’s treatment

The funding of cryopreservation does not automatically entitle people to NHS funding for assisted conception. Applicants should be aware that they must meet Norfolk & Suffolk ICB eligibility criteria for the Assisted Conception policy at the time of applying for NHS funded specialist fertility treatments.

For those seeking NHS funded assisted conception treatment please see legacy policies:

 

Note 2:

Prior to undergoing cryopreservation of gametes, the patient should be deemed medically fit to undergo emergency cryopreservation, and should be supported by a specialist clinician

There is no lower age limit for gamete or embryo cryopreservation as long as it is clinically appropriate.

Females under the age of 18 years who require cryopreservation must be treated at a specialist paediatric accredited centre.

 

Norfolk and Suffolk ICB will fund Cryopreservation of sperm, oocytes and embryos in patients whose medical intervention poses a risk to their fertility if they meet the criteria as set out below.

Criteria for funding:

  • Patients faced with infertility as a consequence of their medical intervention
  • Women must be aged no greater than 41 years and 364 days
  • Males aged less than 55 years
  • If female, they are well enough to undergo ovarian stimulation and egg collection, it will not worsen their condition, and enough time is available before the planned start of their treatment
  • Patients must be registered with a Norfolk or Suffolk GP practice
  • Patients must not have undergone sterilisation (male or female) in the past, regardless of whether reversal has occurred
  • Patients must be fully counselled on storage duration and permitted use before cryopreservation takes place

Duration:

Where patients meet the criteria for fertility preservation sperm, oocytes or embryos will be stored for an initial period of 10 years, as permitted in current legislation. Patients should notify the specialist provider changes to GP registration.

Extensions beyond 10 years may be possible but require ICB approval through the Individual Funding Process.

Children and young people gamete storage will be funded up to their 28th birthday*

* Adulthood is deemed to be from 18 years of age.

NHS England » Prescribed specialised services manual

 

Note 3:

If fertility is found to have returned, either through fertility testing or through conception and natural pregnancy, continued storage will not be funded by Norfolk and Suffolk ICB. Where patients wish to continue storage of gametes, arrangements can be made directly with the provider.

 

Policy Exclusions (the following are outside the scope of this policy):

    • Cryopreservation of ovarian and testicular tissue
    • Embryo storage using donor sperm
    • Fertility preservation for social or non-clinical reasons, such as patient choice to delay conception

 

Please note – In the event the patient dies or lacks the capacity to make decisions during the funded storage period and has nominated next of kin for material to be passed to, the ICB will continue to fund storage of material for a further six months whilst the next of kin consider what to do with the stored material. Should the gamete provider’s nominated next of kin wish to continue storing the material beyond this six-month period of grace, then they can make arrangements directly with the provider. Before the storage process begins, the clinic will ask the patient to sign consent forms which allow the patient to specify what should happen to the material if the gamete provider were to die or lack capacity to make decisions.

  1. Please see link relating to the Gender Services Clinical Programme( NHSE) – NHSE Commissioning – Gender Services
  2. Information for Health Care Professionals (Bourn Hall):

 

Cases for Individual Funding Consideration (Patients who do not meet the policy criteria)

On a case-to-case basis, patients might be eligible for intervention, in consideration of their exceptionality. The requesting clinician must provide information to support the case for being considered an exception, by submitting an individual funding request.

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