Health bosses have asked the public to have their say on controversial plans to cut IVF treatment for couples struggling to conceive.

The NHS-funded procedure could be stopped or reduced as part of cost-cutting proposals put forward by West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

A consultation, opened by the CCG, will close on Thursday, September 14, after which a decision will be made on whether to cut the service.

Currently, women living in the West Essex CCG area are entitled to two NHS-funded IVF cycles if they are under 40 and one if they are aged 40 to 42.

However, Herts and Essex Fertility Centre, based in Waltham Cross, have previously branded the plans unfair.

Sally Day, the marketing manager, said: “We don’t like the Postcode Lottery that these proposals are creating.

“It’s a medical condition just like any other, and we believe, completely and utterly, everyone should have equal access.

“This is outrageous. It is going to force people to have treatment abroad, but it’s a medical illness just like any other, and it should be recognised as that.”

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines have stated since 2004 that those struggling to conceive and single-sex families should have access to at least one round of free IVF treatment.

For more information or to take part in the consultation online before September 14, visit: healthierfuture.org.uk/ivf.