ICSI - self-funding vs private?

[jumpingjackhash]

Hi there, our NHS Trust has just pulled all IVF funding, so we're looking at our best options for ISCI - which hospital (if we're paying, we're choosing!) etc.

We're coming across 'self funded' and 'private' - is there any real difference between the two? Is there any difference in the support you receive, or waiting lists? Hospital websites are a little vague!

Many thanks for any advice.

When I had ICSI 4 years ago I was allowed to choose my place and if you wnat any extras like counselling you will have to fund that yourself. I had accupuncture which I am sure helped.

Very best wishes. x

Thanks chuckeyegg, is counselling the only real difference between self-funded and private?

Hi jumping, my understanding is that self-funded is through an NHS hospital where you basically pay to jump the queue (not said in a judgemental manner), whereas private is in a private hospital or centre.

When we were put on the waiting list for IVF, the information we got sent from the hospital explicitly said 'you should not consider self-funding to be 'private' treatment'.

I think the difference is in things like the choices you get -for instance, NHS is pushing very hard right now for SET (single embryo transfer) to avoid twin and multiple births, and if you fulfil certain criteria (good prognosis criteria) you will only be allowed to transfer one embryo.
The private hospital we saw, on the other hand, 'strongly recommended' SET, but ultimately said it was our choice.
Other differences were in things like flexibility, for instance the private hospital could organise appointments and scans around our work schedule and was open until late, whereas with self-funded NHS treatment you still had to take the appointments you were offered.

Hope that helps a little.

Thanks cakeandcava, that's really helpful. We're looking at Guys, so a hospital which offers private too - therefore the facilities will be the same, but I guess they may have more flex on appointment times.

The SET point is interesting - definately something to bear in mind (you'd think the NHS would want to maximise the chances of a successful course)!

We did have NHS treatment funded at a private clinic and it covered most of the cost we had a pay a little bit for some drugs that went over budget, but as I say that was 4 years ago so I don't know whether they will fund for a private clinic. The treatment was not delayed because it was NHS.

Thanks, we're definately not going NHS funded, that decision has been made for us! We'll get on the phone to a couple of the places we like the look of to see how their self-funded and private treatment offers differ.

Self funded usually means you are seen by the usual clinic staff and the clinical fellows/registrars etc. Private in this context means you see your consultant for all your appointments, the consultant does your egg collection and embryo transfer etc.
Self funded is usually a bit cheaper than private in this context, basically as cakeandcava says, what you are getting 'self funded' is the NHS treatment package but paying for it yourself. Think of it as economy v first class. The destination may very well be the same but the 'private' journey may be a bit more flashy and a lot more expensive.