Anna worries time is running out

Guidelines in 2004 recommended all eligible women aged 23-39 should get one free cycle of IVF.

But three years on, half of England's Primary Care Trusts are still not providing this, according to Mr Shapps.

Steve and Anna Smalley, from Mr Shapps' constituency in Welwyn Hatfield, are one of many couples who say they have lost out because of where they live.

It's really scary that our time is going to run out and we are going to lose the opportunity before we have even been given one Anna Smalley

They have been trying for a baby with IVF for five years now, using their own money.

Anna, now 34, should be eligible for free IVF treatment on the NHS, according to the guidelines. But so far, their PCT has not funded it.

Steve explained their frustration. "I feel very badly treated.

"It was 2004 where we were told people would start receiving free IVF.

"We are now in 2007 and we are still no closer to actually being told 'yes you can have IVF' or 'No you can't', so we still don't actually know."

Ticking clock

Anna said the biggest frustration for her was that time was running out.

"You can't help but worry. The years have passed by. I wasn't worried about my age initially. However, I'm not getting any younger.

"It's really scary that our time is going to run out and we are going to lose the opportunity before we have even been given one.

"It's heart breaking to think that this has been available in my area for the last three years and yet is has taken me three years through steps of my own approaching Grant to even be able to find out that we are eligible."