Woman of 59 asks clinic for IVF

Sue Tollefsen, from Essex, approached the London Women’s Clinic in Harley Street for treatment.

She said she was “110 per cent” sure she wanted IVF even though she turns 60 in October.

She told a Sunday newspaper: “I agree there should be a cut-off point.

“Perhaps 65 is too old, but I’m still so healthy I don’t see why I shouldn’t be treated.”

Peter Bowen-Simpkins, Medical Director at the London Women’s Clinic in Harley Street, said a decision had not yet been taken on whether to treat her.

He said: “I said that I was not in a position to say whether the clinic could offer her treatment and her specific case would be discussed by our executive committee if she wished.

“I pointed out that we would have to have her husband’s full consent, a supportive letter from her doctor, a detailed consultation with our counsellor and an exhaustive medical. At present there has been no indication that she wished to continue and we have had no contact since the time of the interview.”

He added the oldest patient the clinic had treated was 56 and recently it had been decided patients over the age of 50 would only be considered “depending upon their individual circumstances”.

Government guidelines say the NHS should only recommend IVF to women aged “between 23 and 39 years of age”.

Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe said she thought legislation might be needed to govern who can access IVF treatment even though she preferred the medical profession to regulate itself. “I don’t have a specific age in mind but I think 50 would be reasonable.”