Cross border treatment for infertility: the counselling perspective in the UK

There is increasing evidence that people with infertility problems are seeking treatment in a wide range of countries. While many make an independent choice about their destination clinic, others are referred under shared-care arrangements based in the UK. In response to cross border reproductive care, concerns have been raised and recommendations for best practice have begun to emerge. The involvement of counsellors appears to be limited. This paper considers the issues raised by cross-border reproductive care with a particular focus on those who travel abroad for treatment for gamete/embryo donation or surrogacy. It describes the part that counselling can play in both supporting patients and providing a service that will enable them to prepare for the additional challenges that may arise in the future. It concludes with a recommendation for further research, for UK clinics routinely to refer patients to a counsellor prior to travel arrangements being made and for collaboration between countries in developing and implementing best practice guidelines.