N.L. fertility specialists cautiously optimistic about Furey's renewed pledge to open IVF clinic in 2026
Dr. Sean Murphy and Dr. Deanna Murphy plan to meet with health minister this week
Years after Andrew Furey promised to open an IVF clinic in Newfoundland and Labrador, two local fertility specialists say they're hopeful following a renewed pledge, and a potential timeline, from the premier.
Dr. Deanna Murphy and Dr. Sean Murphy — no relation — have been appealing to government for years to be able to offer in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in the province.
"It's not new, it's not groundbreaking. It's been the standard of care for decades. It's something that we should have here," Dr. Sean Murphy said.
"It's the equivalent of chemotherapy for cancer. If … you're not offering the gold standard, you're just kind of offering what is clearly a substandard therapy for years."
Last week, CBC News shared details contained in two reports, obtained through an access-to-information request, that reviewed the province's fertility services and funding.
On Jan. 23, Furey responded to questions from reporters at a press conference.
"We wanted a report about exactly what would be needed, in terms of the facilities and the feedback from the community, on establishing an IVF clinic," he said.
"I believe that we can have that set up, hopefully as early as January, 2026."
Dr. Sean Murphy says that statement makes him cautiously optimistic.
"The fertility world runs on cautious optimism. It's what keeps our patients coming back for testing and treatments, and heartbreak and disappointment, for years at a time," he said.
"They're used to cautious optimism, but now it's time for something more substantial. And maybe with this new personal pledge from the premier, we'll get it."
Tight timeline
The doctors say it's possible to open an IVF clinic in a year's time — but the work needs to start now.
"The timeline is a bit tight, particularly given how long things have taken so far," said Dr. Sean Murphy.
"You can have an IVF clinic up and running, theoretically within a year, but it really takes a lot of work … and the planning for that needs to have started months ago."
The local fertility specialists say if the premier does have a plan, they weren't privy to it.
But they hope to have "some frank, open, and productive discussions" with Health Minister John Hogan this week.
Impact on patients
Currently, patients who need fertility treatments in Newfoundland and Labrador can undergo intrauterine insemination (IUI), which has a success rate of about 15 per cent.
Anyone wanting to receive IVF would have to travel outside of the province, away from support networks and the comforts of home, during an already stressful time, and they would have to grapple with a bill upwards of $20,000.
Dr. Deanna Murphy says the process can have a significant impact on people's lives.
"There's something about having to leave where you are, the doctors [you] are comfortable with, and going to another clinic, to go through the treatments that are quite invasive [and] expensive," she said.
"And then there's also the difficulties of when they come back and they have questions about their IVF cycle. We weren't the ones who did the cycle, so we're often not able to answer some of the more intricate questions that they're asking. And that is frustrating for patients."
Response to the reports
Furey made an election promise to open an IVF clinic in the province in 2021. That has not yet happened.
Newfoundland and Labrador is one of just two Canadian provinces without an IVF clinic. Prince Edward Island, as well as the territories, are the only other areas that don't offer IVF.
The province introduced a travel subsidy in 2022 — which was retroactive to 2021 — that allowed approved patients, who travelled outside of Newfoundland and Labrador, to claim up to $5,000 per IVF cycle — up to three cycles, for a total of $15,000.
In the fall of 2023, the Newfoundland and Labrador government asked St. John's-based market research firm Thinkwell Research + Strategy to conduct a review of fertility services, and to provide recommendations for improvements.
It recommended that clinics start offering IVF and fertility preservation within the province, as well as more financial support for people seeking treatments.
Dr. Deanna Murphy said the report echoes what they have been telling the province for years.
"At least it felt like the government was actually looking at what we were saying," she said.
"But the delays, and the report, and the fact it's taken two years for the report to get done, has certainly been frustrating."
Fertility treatments in high demand in N.L., says doctor
Dr. Deanna Murphy says infertility is a growing issue in the province.
"We're seeing more and more consults every single year," she said.
"When I started here in 2012, we did about 200 IUIs a year. We're doing about 600 to 700 now. So the practice has increased significantly."
Dr. Deanna Murphy said IVF wouldn't just benefit fertility patients. Egg retrieval and freezing could be used by individuals who are transgender, in a same-sex relationship, want to delay childbearing, have a medical condition or are dealing with cancer.
"I think it'll have an enormous impact on the patients," she said, noting that it could also hopefully reduce the multiple pregnancy rate.
"IUI unfortunately has a 10 per cent risk of twins, and we do see a fair number of twins from that population," said Dr. Deanna Murphy.
"With IVF, twin pregnancies are much more controlled. So I think even from a safety perspective in pregnancy, we'll see a change."
Much like their fertility patients who are trying to get pregnant, the doctors say they will continue to hold out hope for a local IVF clinic.
"With the premier's announcement, we hope we can get some real progress going forward and we look forward to the conversations," said Dr. Sean Murphy.
"And with a little luck, we'll come back with some good news in the next few weeks to months. We'll see."
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Elizabeth Whitten
