IVF could be free in NI

IVF is an expensive and complex treatment

Northern Ireland's four health boards are considering introducing free infertility treatment on the National Health Service.

The province is one of the last regions in the UK which has not had funding approved for the treatment - despite the fact that one in six couples are affected by infertility.

Previously, couples had to pay thousands of pounds for treatments, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), and they were beyond the financial reach of many.

But the NHS programme could be in place by next year.

The breakthrough came on Friday at the first meeting of a four-board steering group established to review fertility services across Northern Ireland.

IVF involves combining egg and sperm outside the body

IVF was developed in the 1970s and the main process involves the women taking fertility drugs to help her produce more eggs.

The eggs are then harvested and fertilised in the laboratory, before being placed inside the womb.

Tim Hedgley from the National Fertility Association said he was delighted at the funding news.

"It's absolutely tremendous news for everybody in Northern Ireland who's suffering from infertility. It's a very, very positive step forward.

"It's something that we've campaigned for, for about 14 years and we are absolutely delighted."

He said the cost of such treatment was "on a par with a hip replacement" or heart treatment.

All the doctors are trying to do is to reproduce Mother Nature - in 25 to 35% of cases, couples will become pregnant on one attempt

Tim Hedgley

"It is treatment for a medical condition which prevents a woman from becoming a mother.

"Therefore the patient's charter says you have a right to receive treatment based on a clinical diagnosis and not your ability to pay."

He said IVF had a success rate "comparable to Mother Nature itself".

"All the doctors are trying to do is to reproduce Mother Nature. In 25 to 35% of cases, couples will become pregnant on one attempt.

"The average number of treatments is only three."

Treatment guidelines

He said he expected a lot of debate about the criteria for IVF treatment on the NHS in the province, with the upper age limit for a woman likely to be 38.

He added: "There will probably be guidelines as to whether you are in a stable relationship, whether you are married, whether you have previous children at home. But generally the news is fantastic."

Mr Hedgley said he did not believe money would be transferred from other areas to provide the treatment, but that it would be additional money from the government.