PROSPECTIVE parents in north Essex will be eligible to receive two free rounds of IVF treatment after health bosses agreed reinstating it was the “right thing to do”.

In 2015, North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group decided to withdraw free IVF for couples, except in exceptional circumstances.

The cost-cutting move sparked outrage among couples trying to conceive.

But at a meeting of the CCG board this afternoon, members agreed to reinstate the service and offer two free rounds to couples.

Specific details on who will be eligible are yet to be revealed.

The meeting heard the CCG was now in a financial position to be able to afford to offer the service.

It came after Health Minister Caroline Dinenage wrote to the CCG questioning its reasons. Across the UK only three authorities offer the recommended three cycles of IVF free.

In August, the North East Essex CCG said the policy would be reviewed again after a new management team was set up with two CCGs in Suffolk. The West Suffolk and Ipswich and East Suffolk CCGs both offer up to two cycles for couples.

Board chair Dr Hasan Chowhan said issues around implementing the service and communicating with patients was being progressed.

He said: “We did at the time say we would review it. This is the right time to make these changes and bring some equity to patients.”

Ed Garrett, accountable officer for the CCG, added: “We want to give our patients the best and we have got the opportunity to do so.”

Emma Edey, 40, and husband Lee, 45, from Colchester, faced missing out on the opportunity to have a child because of where they lived.

Emma was born with Hirschsprung disease, which affects the bowel, and had to have a colostomy bag fitted.

Surgery left her with scar tissue on her stomach which hindered the couple in trying to conceive.

She said: “It’s the right choice. Hopefully my age group will be in there. I feel so proud for never giving up hope I really hope it’s not to late for me and Lee.

“All the couples it’s going to give hope to has made me truly happy for us all.”

It is expected to begin on April 1.