A COUPLE have been awarded compensation for "significant delays" that may have caused their IVF treatment to fail.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has been ordered to apologise to the couple and fund £6000 of private fertility treatment after they waited almost two years for procedures.

Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Jim Martin has also suggested that women with significantly declining fertility should be fast-tracked for treatment.

The couple, known as Mr and Mrs C, were referred for assisted conception in February 2009 but were not seen by a fertility doctor until nine months later, when tests showed the woman's ovarian reserves were low. It was a further 20 months before sperm retrieval took place in July 2011.

The couple were given a cycle of IVF near the end of the year which was not successful. They were then refused a second round because of the poor outcome.

Health watchdogs said it was not clear why sperm retrieval was delayed, "because the unit was only treating one patient a week".

The report said it was also not clear why the woman had not been fast-tracked.

Mr Martin said: "I am concerned about the significant delays in the process relating to sperm retrieval and that the Board failed to fast track Mr and Mrs C when they became aware of Mrs C's poor ovarian reserve.

"These delays may have been a contributory factor to the poor outcome.

"This was an injustice in that Mr and Mrs C were precluded from another potential cycle of fertility treatment using Mrs C's eggs."

The health board has also been asked to amend its policy to clarify that patients may not be eligible for repeat treatment if the first response is poor.

A spokeswoman for NHSGGC said: "We are sorry for the distress caused to this couple and we will work with the couple should they choose to have their treatment privately.

"We have already apologised but will be writing to them again offering our apologies for any failures.

"We will also respond to the Ombudsman's recommendations regarding the wider service. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's fertility service strives to provide equitable treatment to all patients seeking treatment."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk