Family advocates have criticized plans to give trans men and lesbians access to NHS-funded IVF two years ahead of heterosexual couples, calling them “grossly discriminatory”.

Under the controversial proposals, trans men – those who were born as women and now identify as men – will automatically be considered incapable of conceiving, just like lesbians and single women.

This means they will be immediately eligible for IVF on the NHS – at an estimated cost of £5,000 per cycle – if they meet the other criteria, such as a body mass index between 19 and 30, not smoking, be under 43 years old and not have a partner. with a child from a previous relationship.

Heterosexual couples, meanwhile, will still have to prove that they cannot have a child naturally within two years.

The proposed changes will cover a large part of England, including Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.

The plans, explained in a document titled ‘The Case For Change’, are subject to an eight-week public consultation ending in January, meaning the new policy could come into force next year.

Under the controversial proposals, trans men – those who were born as women and now identify as men – will automatically be considered incapable of conceiving, just like lesbians and single women. Photo: close-up of in vitro fertilization

Under the controversial proposals, trans men – those born as women who now identify as men – will automatically be considered incapable of conceiving, just like lesbians and single women.

Conservative MP Sir John Hayes, whose Lincolnshire constituency would be affected, called the draft proposal “grotesquely unfair, completely bizarre”

Heterosexual couples where one partner already has one or more biological children have also been dismayed to find there are no changes to the current rules barring them from receiving NHS-funded fertility treatment.

Critics last night questioned why the NHS appeared to prioritize trans men, single women and lesbians over heterosexual couples and women with stepchildren. Lucy Marsh, of the Family Education Trust, said: “At the very least, these proposals appear grossly discriminatory against traditional families. »

Sarah Curtiss, who is campaigning for NHS-funded IVF for infertile mothers-in-law, commented: “It seems they want to make (their policy) equal for everyone except those with children from a previous relationship. »

Tory MP Sir John Hayes, whose Lincolnshire constituency would be affected, called the draft proposal “grotesquely unfair, completely bizarre” and “so absurd it is out of reach”.

A spokesperson for East Midlands NHS Integrated Care Boards said: “We are aware of the strong feelings around fertility treatments and that is why we are asking people to complete our survey and share their views, which will feed into the final policy. It is important to emphasize that although we have presented a proposal, no decision has been made.