Abstract

The case for making healthcare more sustainable is becoming increasingly urgent. Medical professionals understand the need to reduce the cost and environmental impact of our work. We also see that being creative in how we plan treatment pathways and communicate with patients can allow us to work sustainably in terms of the resources required, and in tandem, deliver real benefits for patients. Approaches that deliver ‘prevention rather than cure’ and keep medical intervention as minimally invasive as possible are often better for patients, as well as better for the environment. These concepts are particularly pertinent in the field of reproductive and women’s health, where CREATE Fertility specialise in adopting an approach that is friendly and safe. With natural and mild IVF treatment, delivered with lower doses of drugs, CREATE is able to offer women treatment that reduces risks, side effects and the burden of IVF and supports healthier outcomes for mother and baby, while maintaining outcomes. That philosophy of putting patients first and finding a more efficient way to work is at the heart of the foundation of CREATE’s ABC IVF. In the UK, and around the world, access to fertility treatment is not fair or equal. For many women and couples, cost is a major barrier and one that can stop them building the family they want. In the UK, availability of NHStreatment is variable around the country. At the time of its launch, ABC IVF was the UK’s lowest cost IVF provider, offering a lifeline to thousands of patients who would not otherwise have been able to access treatment. In women’s healthcare, alongside education, innovation and research is key, yet in the UK it is acknowledged that historically there has been a ‘male as default’ approach that has affected research and clinical trials 1 . Professor Nargund is committed to helping to work towards the UN’s sustainable development goals three (health and wellbeing), five (gender inequality), ten (reduced inequality) and thirteen (climate action) with s push to provide affordable, accessible, effective and safe fertility treatment, delivered sustainably. The work is far from over and Professor Nargund and her team remain committed to improving the outlook for women’s healthcare.

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