Two UK charities that provide information and support for people affected by infertility have joined forces, to form Infertility Network UK (INUK). CHILD and ISSUE merged in December 2003, and INUK was formally launched in Liverpool last week, during the joint meeting of the Association of Clinical Embryologists and the British Fertility Society. The new charity will provide practical and emotional support for those experiencing infertility, which is thought to affect around 1 in 6 UK couples.

'Whatever patients need we will endeavour to help - even if it is just showing the way forward', said Clare Brown, INUK's chief executive. She said the charity's launch was especially important, given the imminent arrival of guidelines for infertility to be released by NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence) in February. NICE published the second draft of its guidelines for infertility treatment provided by the National Health Service in August 2003. It recommended that infertile couples meeting certain criteria should be offered up to three IVF attempts using fresh embryos, with the possibility of further treatment cycles using frozen embryos.

To coincide with its launch, INUK has produced a video explaining its work, featuring case studies of couples undergoing fertility treatment. It includes filming of patients undergoing a laparoscopy, and undergoing egg collection during IVF. Commenting on the video, Clare Brown said 'I am delighted that we have been able to provide such an invaluable tool for patients and others to raise awareness about infertility and show patients we are here with them along their journey through treatment'.