A COUPLE desperately trying to conceive for the past ten years were devastated when a letter implying they were eligible for more IVF treatment was sent to them by mistake.

A clerical error meant the North Finchley pair, who wish only to be known as Mr and Mrs Smith, were contacted by NHS Barnet at the end of January.

They were told that the board had “agreed to pay for one cycle of IVF treatment for couples currently on the King's College Hospital waiting list”.

The partners of 18 years assumed this included them, as the health authority had their details from an unsuccessful attempt of fertility treatment ten years ago.

However, their dreams of having a child were smashed when they were told the letter was the result of an administrative error.

Mr Smith, 43, said: “I've never felt so angry in my life. Angry is a small word for how I feel.

“Out of the blue we got this letter and you think maybe they've got some money from somewhere, otherwise why would they be sending you it?

“I thought this is great news, this is probably the last chance I will ever get to have children. I thought I'd won the lottery.”

Using a database provided by King's College Hospital in London, NHS Barnet sent 500 people the same letter.

Press officer for NHS Barnet, Stephen Craker, said: “We wrote to individuals on this list in good faith, believing it to be current and accurate.

“Nevertheless it transpires that a small number of patients who were on that list should not have been on it. We deeply regret and apologise for any distress this has caused.”

Mr Smith said anyone in the same situation as him will think “why has someone played this worse than cruel trick on me”.

He said the anguish that had surfaced since the incident was threatening to end his relationship with his 37-year-old partner.

On the painful experience of a failed IVF attempt, Mr Smith said: “You're treated in life as a weirdo and an outcast without children.

“You stop seeing friends who have kids, because it becomes too painful. My partner has never seen my niece and nephew because of it.”

A statement from King's College Hospital press officer, Anna Sykes, said: "We understand that the letter was misinterpreted by this couple who were ineligible for treatment and would like to apologise for any confusion or distress caused."