International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

UK couples must be given greater access to IVF, according to one UK health body.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has called for the fertility treatment to become more widely available on the UK's National Health Service (NHS).

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of RCN, described IVF treatment as "an important service" which offers hope to thousands of couples wanting to start a family.

He said progress had been made in terms of providing fair access to IVF, but there are still "staggering variations" in the criteria used to decide who is entitled.

According to the RCN, at least three full treatment cycles should be made available to couples and national non-clinical access criteria should be implemented to ensure equity.

Arbitrary decision-making processes should be avoided, the college said, while nurses should be prepared to use their experience to advise on particular cases.

The RCN reports that over three million babies have now been born worldwide as a result of IVF treatment.

Posted by Alexandra George