Trusts increase IVF cycles on NHS

Campaigners say three IVF cycles would offer more chances of success

Childless couples seeking fertility treatment in the South East of England are being offered more IVF treatment cycles on the NHS.

Primary care trusts in Kent, Sussex and Surrey will now offer two cycles of treatment rather than one to those with the recommended eligibility criteria.

The change in policy for the region took effect on 1 April.

The procedure involves egg cells being fertilised outside the womb but if it fails treatment can continue privately.

Since the beginning of the month, couples are entitled, based on clinical judgment, to two full cycles of IVF or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) and up to six IUI (intra-uterine insemination) treatments.

IUI is the least invasive and technically easiest form of treatment, with minimal complications.

Campaigners have welcomed the move but have urged health bosses to go even further by offering three cycles rather than two - claiming the success rate would still be too low.

However, a leading fertility doctor has said he fears the move could put a strain on resources.

Michael Rimington, of the South East Fertility Clinic, which takes NHS patients, said it was not possible to "simply increase the numbers without control because quality of care will drop".

"So we have to have a strategy for offering treatment with the increased numbers to actually get the patients through.

"No-one's discussed with us how we're going to provide the extra treatment," he said.

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