Clinical commissioning groups (CCG) are "ignoring" national IVF treatment guidelines, it is claimed.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) say all CCGs should provide three cycles of IVF treatment for women aged under 40 who have failed to get pregnant after two years of trying.

In one IVF cycle, which costs the NHS around £3,000, one or more of a woman’s eggs are removed from her ovaries, fertilised and then transferred back into the woman’s body.

Research by campaign group Fertility Fairness found seven CCGs, including Redbridge and Waltham Forest, currently only offer one cycle.

Professor Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive and director of health and social care at NICE, said: “Infertility is a recognised medical condition.

"People affected, which includes 1 in 7 heterosexual couples, should be able to receive treatment as a core NHS service.

“Infertility can have a potentially devastating effect on people’s lives: it can cause significant distress, depression and possibly lead to the breakdown of relationships.

“It is unacceptable that parts of England are choosing to ignore NICE recommendations for treating infertility. This perpetuates a postcode lottery and creates inequalities in healthcare across the country.”

Susan Seenan, co-chair of Fertility Fairness, said people were suffering as a result of the treatment shortfall.

She said: “It is totally unacceptable that ten years on from the initial NICE recommendations, access to fertility treatment still depends entirely on where you live.

“Patients are still suffering as a result of CCGs ignoring national guidance and cutting services.

“We are therefore delighted that NICE has published this quality standard which reinforces the cost and clinical effectiveness of this treatment.”

Redbridge and Waltham Forest CCGs have been approached for comment.