fertility treatment - postcode change

[Graham1934]

Hello all

My husband and I have recently discovered that we may have to have fertility treatment (possibly IUI, IVF etc - unsure at this stage).
The issue is, we recently moved from Islington to Waltham Forest - neither of us have changed our GPs to those in Waltham Forest, and are both still registered with GPs in Islington.

Having done a bit of research, it looks like in order to be eligible, you have to have been with a GP in your current area for at least a year.

The question is, should we move GPs?
Do we pretend to still be in Islington (where, apparently, there are only two cycles of IVF treatment, as opposed to WF's three)?

Does anyone have experience of this particular issue, or with postcode-related fertility treatment issues in general?

We are both reeling a bit from the news today, so would appreciate any helpful words of advice you might have - we're in the position of either moving, and having to wait even longer for a treatment that may have a huge waiting list anyhow, or trying to be deceptive about where we live...

Help please!

Thank you

[SilverStars]

Hi. Sorry to hear your news.

I think if you try to hide where you live you may come into difficulties when official forms have to be filled in - for funding by your gp and by the ivf clinic if need treatment ( as they potentially store your frozen eggs/embryos etc there are myriad forms to be filled in)

No idea about gp and one yr rule. One cycle in all 4 counties surrounding where I live so makes little difference.

How far along the diagnosis testing have you got? As although you say you have to wait a year it can take several months for all testing to be done and then there is the NHS hospital waiting lists for rest of tests if you not yet under a hospital for diagnosis and referral for treatment. Then each area may have waiting times for actually starting treatment ( often linked to funding issues) which may vary under different CCG's/PCT's). And if you need that 3rd cycle and not declared correct addresses may be further problem?

For me much would depend on: our ages, how long TTC and if I would be prepared to receive no funding for purposely withholding information.

[victoria401]

Hi

I would tell the truth if I were you too. It would all come out in the end. As silver said, by the time you're done with waiting lists and tests and seeing if you meet criteria, a year might well have passed.

In my postcode, and most surrounding postcodes, you only get one nhs funded ivf which I'm fuming about! I live in the Bristol area but in South Gloucestershire. Bristol, Bath, South Glos, Somerset... All one cycle. However Gloucestershire (as opposed to SOUTH Gloucestershire) get three, THREE, funded cycles! My hubby is Gloucestershire born and bred but that makes no difference. He moved here 8 years ago to be with me. I'm Welsh by birth and would have had 2 cycles there (but massive waiting list). I chose to live in Bristol/South Glos 15 years ago.

Postcode lottery makes me so mad! Fairness for all I say!

[Graham1934]

Thank you both for your responses. You're right - better to be honest and join a doctor in the area. We've started the ball rolling so hopefully we can be referred to an infertility expert soon. Agree - the postcode lottery is absolute madness - added stress at an already stressful time!!