Free IVF for women aged under 40

Women under 40 will be offered free IVF treatment on the NHS following the publication of new "landmark" guidance on the treatment of infertile couples, the Health Secretary announced today.

Dr John Reid said those who have been trying for a baby for two years and where the woman is aged 23 to 39 will be able to have at least one free cycle of IVF by April next year.

However, he stopped short of setting a timetable for full implementation of new clinical guidance, which recommends that infertile couples should be offered three cycles on the NHS - despite the fact it would cost £85 million.

Couples are twice as likely to conceive with three cycles as opposed to one.

Around 32,000 have IVF treatment each year, with only around 20 per cent having the treatment on the NHS.