With National Fertility Awareness Week, 2 – 6 November 2026, aiming to raise awareness and support for those struggling with fertility, Ash Miller from St Albans, Herts, founder of Access Fertility, is calling for greater awareness of the financial barriers facing thousands of individuals and couples from pursuing fertility treatment.

Ash founded Access Fertility after witnessing the financial barriers that many patients encounter on their fertility journey. Determined to ensure that the cost of treatment did not stand in the way of people building a family, he created a model that provides greater financial security and peace of mind throughout the treatment process.

The financial burden remains one of the least discussed aspects of the fertility journey. Given many people are not able to access the treatment they need to have a baby through the NHS, private IVF treatment involves significant personal investment, with no guarantee of success. This uncertainty can mean that people who would like to start a family are delaying treatment, depleting their savings or incurring debt to pay for private treatment, or even putting a stop to their fertility journey altogether.

"Fertility challenges affect people from all walks of life, yet access to treatment is still heavily influenced by patchy NHS coverage and then personal finances. We regularly hear from people who have spent years saving for treatment, and from people who have spent thousands of pounds and still, sadly, haven't yet had a baby. National Fertility Awareness week provides an opportunity to broaden the conversation and talk openly about the multiple pressures patients face during their fertility journey, including the financial aspect," explains Ash Miller, CEO and founder of Access Fertility.

Having worked closely with fertility patients, Ash has seen first-hand the impact that financial concerns can have on treatment decisions. Many people spend thousands of pounds on IVF with no guarantee of success, yet starting a family should be more accessible for potential parents, and 0% payment plans and refund programmes can ease some of the stress and significantly reduce the financial risk.

Access Fertility is a leading provider of IVF refund programmes designed to make treatment more affordable and accessible. It was established to help reduce the financial uncertainty of IVF treatment by providing patients with a refund of up to 100% should treatment not result in having a baby. Access Fertility's programmes have contributed to the birth of 13,000 babies and it has refunded more than £22 million to people who have been unsuccessful with their treatment in the past decade. They also offer 0% finance so people can spread the cost of their treatment, helping people access the treatment they need, when they need it.

Ash continues, "The financial uncertainty surrounding fertility treatment can add considerable stress to an already emotional journey. For many patients, access to programmes that provide greater financial certainty, such as refund programmes, can help give prospective parents the financial protection, reassurance and confidence they need to start treatment."

During National Fertility Awareness Week, Access Fertility is encouraging anyone considering fertility treatment to seek advice, understand the financial options, and access support from trusted fertility professionals and patient organisations.

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