Almost 70% of NHS areas in England offer only one cycle of IVF, data shows

Of the 42 integrated care boards in England, 29 offer only one round of IVF treatment – despite official guidance they should offer three. Photograph: David Gregs/Alamy

Millions of women in England are able to access only one round of IVF on the NHS because of health authority cutbacks and in contravention of official policy, research from a fertility charity has shown.

Nearly 70% of local areas fund just one cycle for women under 40 who have been unable to conceive for two years, rather than the three full cycles they should be offered in line with official guidance, according to data collected by the Progress Educational Trust (PET).