COUPLES will be able to get IVF treatment on the NHS following a health trust’s U-turn.

NHS South West Essex has reinstated funding for non-essential IVF treatment just seven months after it suspended the service.

The health trust has contacted patients effected by the earlier suspension to notify them of the change and advised them to make contact with their clinic to discuss their continued treatment.

Basildon MP Stephen Metcalfe was delighted by the decision.

He said: “For many, many people, IVF is their only chance to have a family and I think it’s only right and proper we support them in that.

“A lot of people were very unhappy about it when it was suspended, but I was always led to believe it would be reinstated at some point. I’m glad that decision has now been taken.”

In October last year, IVF therapy was controversially restricted to a handful of patients under-going life-saving treatment and those aged over 40.

The move saved £400,000 and was part of a £52million package of cuts aimed at putting the debt-laden health authority back in the black.

NHS South West Essex was able to break even last financial year and managers have now taken the decision to reinstate IVF treatment.

The change means patients who are eligible under the East of England Specialist Commission-ing Group criteria will now be able to access up to three cycles of IVF.

A spokeswoman for the trust said: “We were forced to take a number of actions to make sure we broke even and we actually ended up with a small surplus.

“This allowed the trust to reinstate the funding this financial year.”

The trust was heavily criticised for the way it suspended IVF last autumn, as some women received letters informing them their treatment was cancelled days before they were about to begin.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley also waded into the argument, urging trusts which had suspended IVF treatment to reconsider.

NHS South West Essex covers patients in Basildon, Thurrock and Brentwood.