The number of health authorities in England offering the full recommended three IVF cycles has halved in the last five years, new research reveals.
Critics warn such cuts have created a ‘postcode lottery’ in fertility treatment, forcing desperate UK couples to go abroad to start their dream families.
Just 12 per cent of clinical commissioning groups, which have the final decision on what treatments can be dished out, now follow national guidance.
This is down from 24 per cent in 2013, a report by campaign group Fertility Fairness shows. And seven areas now have an outright ban on funding IVF – a figure which has more than tripled in five years.
Health watchdogs urge CCGs to offer women access to three cycles of IVF to boost their chances of having children, so long as they meet certain criteria.
But financial restrictions are forcing many to defy recommendations and slash the service completely as they seek to save millions of pounds – scuppering the hopes of thousands of women.
The majority (61 per cent) of CCGs now offer just one cycle, a leap from almost 50 per cent in 2013, the report showed.
Furthermore, 7 per cent are currently consulting whether they should scrap or reduce NHS fertility treatment.
