The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has set out guidelines for infertility treatment on the NHS.

Alan Milburn, the former health secretary, said in November 2000 that the current state of infertility services was "a very real cause for concern".

The treatment watchdog recommends that couples should be treated promptly and appropriately so money is not wasted.

Women should be eligible if they are aged 23 to 39 but younger women can be treated if the cause of their infertility is known.