MOTHERS have voiced opposition to cutting the number of NHS-funded IVF cycles available to prospective parents.

Worcestershire's Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are currently consulting on plans to offer just one cycle of IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatment to women who are struggling to conceive naturally, instead of the two cycles currently offered.

But concerned county mums have slammed the proposal, saying it would have a "real impact" on people desperate to have children.

Guidelines from NHS watchdog the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommend that couples who have not been able to conceive after a year of trying should be offered three rounds of IVF.

But that is not mandatory and only 16 per cent of CCGs in England currently offer three cycles of IVF treatment, with some offering none whatsoever.

The proposed cut will be raised at a South Worcestershire CCG governing board meeting taking place in Worcester tomorrow (Thursday, March 30).

Siani Driver, head of Worcestershire Mums Network, said: "Cutting the number of potential cycles means a real reduction in the chances of a couple being able to have a child.

"When Scotland is about to introduce three cycles per couple, this is very disappointing.

"I really hope that plenty of people contribute to the consultation so that those with the power realise the impact of those decisions."

Private fertility treatment can cost more than £5,000 per cycle.

Mari Gay, interim chief operating officer for the Worcestershire's CCGs, said that the IVF cut is only a proposal at this stage.

She added that the CCGs face financial challenges and need to make savings.

"We must also consider whether to constrict access to some services in the future to protect others," she added.

"While there’s clearly a need to make some changes to what we do, any decisions must also be based on a really good understanding of patient and service user priorities."

The CCG governing board meeting will be held at Warndon Youth and Community Centre, in Shap Drive, Worcester, and starts at 2pm.

The consultation runs until Wednesday, April 12 and can be completed online at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/assisted_conception.