A CAMPAIGN for couples living in the York area to be allowed fertility treatment on the NHS has received a set back.

Despite announcing it would provide a single cycle of the fertility treatment IVF, the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) backtracked on the decision, deciding to delay plans because it cannot afford the service.

The move has made the area the only in the UK not to commission a single cycle of the treatment.

Since then, some 800 people have signed an online petition calling for IVF to be allowed on the NHS in the York and Selby area.

However York campaigner Karen Boardman has received a response stating that the petition has not changed the decision of the CCG, but there is a possibility of "better news" in the future.

Dr Mark Hayes, chief clinical officer of Vale of York CCG, said in a letter to Mrs Boardman: "The CCG Governing Body considered the petition that you presented along with other information concerning the commissioning of IVF services at a workshop on September 4.

"Whilst the Governing Body will continue to review the IVF provision on a regular basis between now and the end of the financial year, it did not change the decision not to commission IVF at the present time but reiterated its desire to do so in the future.

"I realise that this will be disappointing news for you but I hope to be able to offer you better news in the future."

In response, Mrs Boardman said: "This now leaves York as the only place in the UK where couples needing treatment cannot access it. It is unacceptable."