OXFORDSHIRE health chiefs have been accused of ignoring NHS rules on fertility treatment for couples in the county.

A Government report released yesterday claimed a ‘postcode lottery’ existed for women trying to get IVF at £3,000-a-cycle on the NHS.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has said three free courses of the treatment should be given to couples in which the woman is aged 23 to 39.

But a report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infertility revealed more 70 per cent of NHS trusts and care providers were ignoring the guidance.

The Oxford Mail reported in 2009 how in Oxfordshire just one round of the treatment can be funded and only for women aged between 35 to 39.

Changes later in the year lowered the age bracket for women seeking treatment to 30-35, rejecting women aged 36-39. The trust was accused of age discrimination.

Gareth Johnson, Conservative MP for Dartford, chaired the parliamentary group and believed more should be done to help couples.

He said: “It is clear that many primary care trusts (PCTs) are not giving IVF the priority they should.

“IVF is the creation of life and gives hope to thousands of infertile couples across the UK.

“IVF treatment was invented in Britain and so more than any other country we should be championing its use.”

In 2009, Witney couple Richard and Jackie Mackenzie launched a campaign to get the PCT to end what they described as age discrimination over fertility funding.

The couple were turned down repeatedly for IVF funding because at 26, Mrs Mackenzie was deemed too young.

Mr and Mrs Mackenzie have since had the treatment privately and will celebrate the first birthday of their son Bobby, next month.

Mr Mackenzie said: “They are ignoring the rules. I am saddened by this, but not shocked.

“I think it is a terrible shame and you also have to consider the emotional wellbeing of the individuals who have been turned down and the pressure that will in turn have on the NHS.

“The effect on individuals who can’t have a child is enormous.”

Mr Johnson added: “I believe all PCTs should be offering three cycles of treatment as recommended by Nice.”

Last night NHS Oxfordshire said its policy was set by the South Central Specialised Commissioning Group (SCG) and was the same for nine neighbouring PCTs. A spokesman added: “We share an ‘Assisted Conception Services’ policy, so we could not comment on the report individually.”

NICE is currently reviewing its guidance and will publish a report in 2012.