A woman who spent over ten years attempting to start a family through IVF treatment, including four rounds with three unsuccessful attempts and one miscarriage, has prompted renewed discussion about hospital service configurations in Northern Ireland. Her concern arose following a gynaecology appointment in May at the Ulster Hospital, where she discovered the department was located within the maternity unit—a setting she found emotionally difficult given her fertility struggles.
After sharing her experience online, the woman received responses from numerous other women describing similar situations across Northern Ireland’s healthcare system. She has since advocated for the physical separation of fertility and gynaecology services from maternity facilities to reduce the emotional impact on patients undergoing treatment. The South Eastern Trust, which operates the Ulster Hospital, indicated it is working toward relocating outpatient gynaecology services from the maternity unit in coming months.
Political representatives have engaged with the issue. A Sinn Féin assembly member who has also undergone fertility treatment acknowledged the heightened emotional sensitivity patients experience in such environments, noting that proximity to maternity services can intensify the psychological burden. An independent assembly member similarly supported separating services, arguing that women’s healthcare should address emotional and psychological needs alongside clinical requirements, and contended that the current system contributes to trauma for women at risk of miscarriage.
Responses from Northern Ireland’s five health trusts varied regarding current service layouts. Two trusts reported their fertility centers operate from dedicated or standalone facilities with separate entrances, while three others acknowledged that proximity to maternity services in some locations can create difficulties for women with fertility concerns. Both of the latter trusts indicated they are exploring measures to improve patient experiences.
Advocates for change have emphasized that reconfiguring services would require additional resources but remains necessary for patient welfare, rejecting resource constraints as justification for maintaining current arrangements.
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