How to choose a clinic?

[MorgenMuffel]

I had a disastrous hospital appointment this week, where the consultant had no idea who I was, seemingly read my file for the first time but then proceeded to tell me we need IVF and would apply for our funding, she checked my notes and saw my CCG (Surrey Downs) said oh no, you have to have been TTC for 3 years to qualify and to "have a good Christmas wink wink. All this despite them repeatedly saying since July that we would be referred in Dec. A lesson there in how not to deliver a difficult message...

We're considering exploring gping private, to get some more tests done at the very least, but have no idea how to go about finding one. Does anyone have and recommendations in the Surrey / SW London area, or advice on what to consider or look for when choosing? TIA.

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

I’m so sorry you’ve had an awful appointment it’s such a rubbish process. Although I can’t offered advice about local clinics as I’m ‘up north’ I would say a good place to states is the HFEA website. They lost information about all registered clinics and stats on success etc. Might be a good starting point.

3 years ago a stupid nurse told us to ‘have a good Christmas wink wink’ and I asked her if Santa was bringing us new sperm for my DH as that was going to be the only way we would conceive naturally. Needless to say she looked uncomfortable but I was beyond caring at that point.

Look after yourself this Christmas and try to spend it as a couple and if possible push ivf to one side and start fresh in jan. good luck x

[MorgenMuffel]

@Whatelsecouldibecalled thanks for taking the time to reply and for the website info, will definately take a look. Not sure if it's best to look for something near work or home?

It's so frustrating when the professionals are so insensitive, but well done you for speaking up, hopefully it made the nurse think before speaking the next time.

Hope you have a merry Christmas and wishing you a happy new year.

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

It’s a hard decision to make that’s for sure. My clinic was closer to work than home but that was a coincidence really. I knew I wanted to go to that clinic. They were fantastic and can’t fault them at all.

The big thing that made a difference for me was that no matter how many times the nurses had done this before they never forgot it was the first time for me and my husband and they were very sensitive to this.

I hope you get some answers. Lots of clinic late offer a free 121 initial consultation so that might be worth looking at too.

Hope you have a lovely Christmas and that 2020 is the year for you x

[Lalla525]

My clinic was closer to neither but had high success rates and is one of the best regarded in London. I found the process so stressful that trusting the clinic and having quick turnaround to my questions was the bare minimum for me.

[AliceAbsolum]

I had an NHS cycle at Nuffield Woking (after 3 years of being told everything was fine. It wasn't). It didn't work so I went abroad. Very glad I did. IVF in the UK is imo a rip off.

[MorgenMuffel]

@whatelsecouldibecalled, thanks for the tip on the free initial consulations, will look at setting some up with the clinics I like the look of from the HFEA website. Do you happen to know whether having private rounds affects your eligibility for NHS IVF?

@lalla525 do you mind me asking which clinic you used?

@AliceAbsolum I've no idea how I'd even start going about trying to pick a clinic abroad - any tips?

Hope you have all had a fantastic Christmas and have lovely plans for this evening :) Lets hope 2020 is a good one for all of us!