Prince Edward Island may not see the establishment of an in-vitro fertilization clinic, but advocates suggest alternative methods to enhance fertility services on the Island. During a presentation to a legislative standing committee, advocates emphasized the need to support individuals facing fertility challenges. Stephanie Sullivan, a fertility advocate and clinical lead registered nurse at Health P.E.I.’s obstetrics and gynecology office, highlighted the province’s insufficient population to sustain an IVF clinic, necessitating continued travel off the Island for such services.
To address this issue, advocates proposed implementing a patient navigator role to assist individuals in navigating the healthcare system and accessing fertility services more efficiently. Sullivan emphasized the importance of local support in conjunction with out-of-province services, as currently, many are solely referred off the Island without ongoing local assistance.
Advocates also advocated for centralized local services, such as access to bloodwork and ultrasounds, to alleviate the burden of frequent off-Island travel for fertility treatments. Affordability emerged as another significant challenge, with presenters noting that existing P.E.I. government funding for off-Island treatment falls short of covering expenses adequately.
Ashlee London, a fertility patient and advocate leading the P.E.I. Fertility Support Group, expressed concerns about the income-based funding program’s inequity, as patients still face substantial out-of-pocket costs for treatment. Additionally, the deeply personal and emotional nature of fertility struggles often deters individuals from speaking out, hindering advocacy efforts.
Recommendations to MLAs included increasing education for patients and primary care providers, as well as establishing a steering committee to guide policy changes and service delivery in the realm of fertility services.