Single Scottish woman campaigning for free access to IVF

A single woman from East Lothian has opened up about her struggle to have a child after being denied access to IVF

Anne-Marie Morrison was devastated after her NHS-funded IVF was withdrawn after she left an abusive relationship.

The 36-year-old from Dunbar has launched a campaign to gain access to fertility clinics for women who are single for whatever reason.

Legislation in Scotland does not currently allow women who are single to enter publicly funded fertility clinics.

Women need to be in a relationship for a minimum of three years before they are considered eligible for treatment.

Anne-Marie spent her own money having treatment using a sperm donor twice but the procedures did not work.

The Open University student told Edinburgh Live: “I am absolutely outraged; I can’t believe it and I am deeply hurt.

“For someone to squash your dreams when they don’t even listen to you and don’t even know who I am. They don’t know these millions of other women and they don’t know what they’ve been through.

“I am giving gratitude for my life and everything that surrounds us. It’s beautiful and I could provide that for someone else. It means everything to me to bring someone into the world that is stunning and experience it with me.”

Anne-Marie revealed she had escaped an abusive relationship and felt she had been penalised for being able to break free.

She said: “I just haven’t met anyone who that I can trust enough at the moment to bring into a baby’s life. I am putting mine and their safety first before anyone else.”

“I was with someone who was horrible to me and beating me. I went through women’s aid and left this person a long, long time ago and grew these protective skills to know where to spot them if I am ever with someone like that again.”

“You deserve the highest level of treatment and I haven’t found that and that’s why I haven’t settled down with someone.”

Anne-Marie has launched a petition and it has already garnered nearly 500 signatures, but it will need at least 10,000 to be considered by the Scottish Government.

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “While legislation, licensing, and regulation of IVF is reserved, delivery is managed by the Scottish government. We have invested around £40 million over five years to improve IVF waiting times and meet expanded NHS access criteria.”

To sign the petition, click here.