Infertility Clinic

CRC Centre for Reproductive Care

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CRC Hamilton

 

Hamilton Health Sciences

Aug 1, 2008

Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is considering opting out of funding for the city's only fertility clinic, throwing its future into question.

The Centre for Reproductive Care (CRC) has an active patient caseload of 1,800 and has been part of the McMaster University Medical Centre since 1978.

The CRC moved to its location at 690 Main St. W. six years ago. Dr. Peter Steer, president of McMaster Children's Hospital, said the clinic is one of many services and programs at HHS whose future is under review as the hospital works through its budget.

"Everything is up for grabs," said Steer.

The main reason the hospital is considering cutting the CRC loose is that most fertility clinics in Ontario are privately run, he said.

Twenty per cent of the fertility services offered at CRC are not covered under OHIP and must be paid for privately by patients.

The centre costs the hospital $350,000 annually, money that comes from the Ministry of Health.

"We are in a position where we are trying to reach more people with the same amount of money," said Steer. "It doesn't make good business sense to continue offering a service that is not publicly funded."

Steer said there are "exemplary examples" of private fertility clinics across Ontario, including in Oakville, Toronto and Burlington. There are 17 in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics in Ontario, of which 13 are private. Four are publicly funded either by the ministry, through hospitals or the Independent Health Facilities Act program.

Steer said the CRC will work with the four fertility specialists and CRC staff to decide the centre's future. It could be "several months" before this decision is made, he said.

Steer said they are looking at several options. "We will be working very hard to make sure this service isn't lost to the community. There's no question we don't want anybody to fall through the cracks."

It's estimated 15 per cent of couples have problems with infertility. For those who use private services, the average cost of one IVF cycle is about $11,000. Ontario only funds IVF treatments for women with blocked fallopian tubes, just one cause of infertility.

The CRC shares the Main Street West building, which was once a bingo hall, with a family practice. The family practice will not be impacted by any changes.

The CRC offers a range of fertility services, including assessment and treatment. It employs a team of fertility specialists: nurses, technologists, technicians and counsellors.
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