A COUPLE desperate to start a family have described the huge financial strain going private for IVF treatment has put on them.

Samantha and David Peace, 38, from Springfield, have so far paid £6,500 for just one cycle of the treatment – with only a 40 per cent chance of success.

They were forced to go private following the decision from the Mid Essex CCG in September 2014 that they were to pull funding for specialist fertility treatment.

Last week, the group announced the halt in funding would continue for another year, as revealed in the Weekly News.

Now the couple have felt compelled to share their story with us.

After a year of trying for a baby, it wasn’t happening.

A visit to the doctor’s told them there was an infertility issue.

The couple were told there was no chance of them getting funding so they went to Simply Fertility in Chelmsford for treatment. Samantha, 34, said: “It’s not like you’re asking for cosmetic surgery.

“You’re asking for an opportunity to start a family when you have a condition and can’t have a child.”

The couple had to borrow the money from their parents.

Samantha added: “It’s an outrage.

“We can’t be bitter, we’re trying to do something about it. “The facts are this is a medical condition.

“IVF is emotionally and physically draining, and we’re only on the first cycle.

“It’s also a huge financial strain.

"It puts so much pressure on a couple and a strain on the relationship.”

 

What’s the state of play

MID Essex Clinical Commissioning Group recently announced it would stop specialist fertility treatment for regular couples for another year.

The group first stopped funding for struggling couples in September 2014.

The only way couples can now get financial help is through an individual funding request, where they must prove “exceptional circumstances”.

It’s anticipated the halt in funding will save the CCG about £500,000 a year. The CCG says its estimates suggest 80 to 100 women will be affected.

Before the initial decision was taken in September 2014 following a consultation, Mid Essex CCG had offered up to three full cycles of IVF.