OXFORDSHIRE PCT has changed the age of eligibility for infertile women seeking NHS-funded in IVF treatment.
Previously only women aged between 35 and 38 would be considered.
But following a specialist commissioning board meeting of the South Central Strategic Healthy Authority, which includes nine PCTs including Oxfordshire, the age range has been lowered to women aged between 30 and 34, and will come into force on December 1.
Guidance issued by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, NICE, states that treatment should be given free of charge to couples where the woman is aged between 23 and 39.
A PCT spokesman said: “Oxfordshire PCT is aware that its current policy does not meet all of the NICE recommendations.
“This policy decision was taken after carefully considering an assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness, local health care priorities, and affordability.
“To implement the full NICE recommendations would cost Oxfordshire PCT £2.5m a year.”
She estimated the new policy would increase the number of babies born to infertile couples each year from 26 to 40.
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