IVF cuts 'must be reconsidered'

Government advisers recommend three IVF cycles on the NHS

An MP has called on health bosses in north Staffordshire to provide fertility treatment for couples.

North Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is one of only three trusts in England which does not offer at least one IVF cycle to couples under 40.

Labour MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme Paul Farrelly said it was time to end an "unacceptable postcode lottery".

The trust said it stopped its fertility service for "financial reasons" but was reviewing its services in its budget.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) recommends infertile couples under 40 should be offered three IVF cycles.

However, only nine out of 151 English health trusts currently offer that many.

Mr Farrelly said he had been approached by a number constituents since the trust suspended its service in 2006 and was to meet the PCT's chief executive to discuss the matter.

'Immense' pressure

He said it was a "real issue" affecting many couples, but the trust was "routinely turning people away".

The MP said his call was prompted by a 22-year-old constituent who has been refused treatment, despite a medical condition which means she has been told she will need hysterectomy within two years.

"I would say in general in this area the NHS care is absolutely excellent and the primary care trusts which are responsible for spending that money make hard decisions all the time.

"But I would say in this case the question is - why is north Staffordshire not doing what what every other trust in the country is doing and following minimum national guidelines?"

Mr Farrelly added: "We can't simply leave this in the lap of fortune."

'Low priority'

His call was backed by Alison Moore, who paid £4,000 for IVF treatment in Nottingham after being turned down by the trust.

Mrs Moore, who is now four months' pregnant, said she had been devastated at the trust's decision and the emotional pressure of her situation had been "immense".

North Staffordshire PCT has said it suspended its fertility services due to financial constraints and because it was a "relatively low priority" compared with, for example, cancer treatment.

The trust is looking at which services to prioritise in its budget.

Neighbouring Stoke-on-Trent PCT said it reintroduced one IVF cycle in January after an improvement in its finances.