Liverpool to get biggest IVF unit

It will be the biggest IVF unit for NHS or private patients in Europe

The Liverpool Women's Hospital is to become home to the biggest single unit IVF facility in the whole of Europe.

The £5m pound extension to the Hewitt Centre for Reproductive Medicine will see the unit treat more than 2,000 women a year.

Women from Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales will be able to use it on the NHS but the unit would also get worldwide private applications.

It was given the go-ahead at a city council planning meeting.

The extension is being funded by the NHS and revenue from private patients.

The hospital recently received a top rating in the annual Healthcare Commission report.

'Many developments'

Ken Morris, the chairman of Liverpool Women's Foundation Trust said: "I think it's fantastic because it's part of an overall move in women's services.

"We are trying to make it more personalised, more convenient to offer more choice and generally just to make it a better environment.

"This is only first of many developments in patient care we are going to see so watch out."

Cathy Taylor had twin girls in the hospital 11 years ago.

"I think it's absolutely fantastic as it gives them the opportunity to help even more people now I just hope more couples get funding for the treatment they need.

"We nearly gave up, we had four IVF attempts and were successful on the fourth one."

About 6,000 babies are born in the UK to previously infertile couples as a result of IVF.

In the UK about 25% of IVF treatment is funded by the NHS. Women in Merseyside and Cheshire are afforded two treatments by the NHS and Welsh women one.