NHS v Private

[Sunshinegirl2015]

Me and DH have been TTC since December 2014.

We've had all of the tests offered to us on the NHS and no problems were found. We almost wish there was a problem so that we could get help with it. Which I'm aware sounds awful but we feel helpless.

NHS website and quick google says help is offered to couples who have been TTC for over two years.

In June 2016 we were told to come back in a year but our GP told us this week our referral would be rejected and to come back in another six months when we've been TTC for over three years as NHS guidelines have changed.

She suggested we go private. We was quoted £200 just to see the specialist she recommended.

Does anyone have private health care and does it include these consultations with specialists or do you still have to pay?

[LoveRainbow02]

Sounds like they have been fobbing you off 😮!

I went to my gp when I had been ttc for a year and got referred to a fertility clinic straight away. I've been with them a year now and my partner has had 4 SA done plus full blood work. I've had blood work done on numerous occasions, regular scans and a laparoscopy and dye test. I got pregnant on my own this year but miscarried and I got referred back to the clinic in April and I'm now waiting on IUI starting in the next 2-3 months.

When did the NHS rules change? I would definitely push to get referred to a clinic. You have waited long enough

[Sunshinegirl2015]

Thanks, and no idea when they changed.

DH has had a SA and all was fine but that's the only test he's had.

We've been told to come back in January 2018 and they will refer us. Then we'll need hep and HIV tests done before we have IVF if it gets to that.

I know I'm being impatient but surely it should take that long. By the time we get the referral we'll have been TTC for over three years!

[LoveRainbow02]

That's a really long time to wait. I know they say try for a full year before going to to gp if your 35 or older. I got referred after a year as I'm only in my early 20s.

You must be going out of your mind with waiting so long.

I feel like you too regarding results. Sometimes I think it would be better to have a reason as to why it's not happening. I'm in the unexplained infertility group and it drives me mad!

[broodynmoody]

OP what area do you live on? Look at the NICE guidelines and have a good read through. In my area you will be offered IVF after 2 years of trying with unexplained infertility. You need to look into this further and they are robbing you off. I had tests done privately whilst on NHS list, but ended up having IVF on NHS and in would suggest you do the same
It's 4.5-6 thousand per cycle privately and there's no guarantee it will work first time!

[broodynmoody]

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg156/ifp/chapter/unexplained-infertility

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg156/ifp/chapter/in-vitro-fertilisation#in-vitro-fertilisation

This is for everyone under the guidelines. You are being fobbed off. Kick up a stink, ask for another gp, ask for a referral to fertility clinic or you'll be taking it higher.

[YesIveTriedAPillowUnderMyHips]

When I went it was anyone trying two years in my age bracket would be referred, I was 31 at the time. I'm sure over 35 is 6 months before referral. I suspect younger people it advised to try for longer but not sure!

[Sunshinegirl2015]

I'm 28 DH is 30

We're in Hertfordshire

Every website or guide I come across says two years so no idea why we are being told three.

[YesIveTriedAPillowUnderMyHips]

Quote nice guidelines to the gp, they'll soon refer. Also check what the HEAT targets are for your area. If there is one for fertility quote that too.
Hope you get things sorted.

[Bombardier25966]

NICE guidelines are exactly that, guidelines. Your CCG will have their own policy on infertility referrals, and sadly due to all the cuts these can be far more stringent than the guidelines.

Don't quote the guidelines, find out the policy for your own CCG. If it's not readily available online, contact PALS and ask them to send you copy. Then you can approach your GP with the correct information.

[Nan0second]

No point quoting nice guidelines as what matters is what your local trust have decided they will or won't see.
You need to look at the Hertfordshire criteria for ivf.
Google herfordshire ivf criteria - then look for your ccg. (I did it but I don't know whether you are north and east or valleys etc)
This will tell you what is available locally. Then you can talk to your GP if that differs from what they said.

[ForeverHopeful21]

OP that's awful. I think it's so unfair how everything is postcode lottery. My GP wouldn't refer me when I went to see her after ttc for almost 2 years, yet my friend was referred after just 11 months (shes in the next county).

That was 18 months ago and I'm still not pregnant and only now have I been referred to the fertility clinic after 3+ years of trying. So frustrating!
My friend received fertility treatment quite quickly after referral and was pregnant just a few months later, she now has a little boy.

[JoJoSM2]

Some GPs are just unhelpful (to put it politely). I only got a referal once I went to a different GP. Also, what tests have you had done without a referal? GP isn't able to test much at all.

[Sunshinegirl2015]

CCG says three years for where we are.

I've had blood tests to check ovulation (5 blood tests over two weeks as they thought I wasn't ovulating even though I insisted I was but ovulate around day 18-21), two internal ultrasound scans, one external ultrasound scan, hystereosaplinogram and DH has had a sperm analysis.

All came back fine. Unexplained sub fertility

[Shellsandstones1]

Go private. Bypass this stalling and find a really successful clinic and throw everything at it. Don't bother with the local ones, Holly House etc, look at central London, Lister, UCH, ARGC etc and go for it. It will be more intensive and expensive but the MOST expensive cycle is one that doesn't work.

[suffolknclose]

Not sure you'll get private medical to cover infertility as whether there is a cause or not I guess it would be seen as a pre-existing condition.

Why can't you go for a private consultation?