It’s seen as non-essential and first thing to get axe

TWO couples from the same town show how the NHS is pulling away from providing IVF treatment.

Emma, 39, and Lee Edey, 44, of Colchester, married in 2009 and were about to start IVF in 2015 when North Essex CCG decided to pull the funding.

Rachel, 34, and Tom Hinsbey, 35, also live in Colchester but started their IVF six years ago while living in Chelmsford – under Mid Essex CCG.

Their first round led to the birth of daughter Amalie in 2014. They recently decided to use frozen embryos from their first cycle to try for another child.

With no NHS treatment available they had to go private, at a greatly reduced cost of £1,600, which led to the birth of twins Margot and Teddy three months ago.

Emma, who is waiting for the result of an appeal, described it as “completely unfair” to offer IVF in one area but not another.

She said: “The last three years has been hell. I am praying the law goes through quickly. I could have a three-year-old child now. Instead I am full of anger.”

Meanwhile, Rachel described the current system as “just crazy”.

She added: “IVF is seen as non-essential and is the first thing to get axed.

“But it has massive consequences for your health, both physically and mentally when you struggle to conceive.” cost of each round of IVF treatment out of 195 Clinical Commissioning Groups offer 3 full IVF cycles