Private fertility, costs and recommendations

[dontcarehow]

Hi there. We've been placed in the rather unexpected position of being referred to a fertility clinic. Problem being its NHS so we're told we should be expecting up to 6 months wait just to get an initial consultation. We've been trying for 15 months, but I'm just not having periods since coming off the pill. This has been investigated and the underlying cause "treated" but still nothing. So we're considering going private. Has anyone any ideas how much it costs to get an initial consultation and would we need to have all the tests done again or would they take our NHS test results? I'd rather not be a burden on the NHS if we can afford to do it privately. but thats a big if! Any recommendations in the East midlands?

The cost of a private consultation depends on who you see but in London is in the ball park of £250 for an initial consultation and then maybe £150 thereafter. Plus you pay for scans, drugs, tests, etc. as you have them. It quickly adds up! To give you an idea, I am paying around £800 for a bunch of specialist blood tests and then have private prescription charges on top of that. I will then have scans while on the fertility drugs and will pay for each one of those (between £100 and £150 I think). It ain't going to be cheap!

I don't think there is a universal answer on whether they will accept NHS tests but from what I have read on here, they often will if they are not older than 6 months. I'm seeing a private gynae while I am on the NHS waiting list and he would accept the NHS blood tests and SA but wanted to do a scan himself.

Hi dontcarehow!

I thought I'd reply as I am currently using the Zita West private fertility clinic in London. An initial consultation with Zita West was £195. At this she analysed an in depth question we had completed and she ordered some tests. An AMH test was £130 which included a follow up consultation and we had Semen Analysis which was £120. I have been to my GP for other tests (thyroid, FSH/LH) but as I couldn't get to my GP for my Day 21 (as I work during the week in London but GP is in the North East) I ordered that too at the clinic and it was around £30-50. In looking at the clinics websites they offer all of this by post/telephone consultation too although I am not sure if it is cheaper.

It does all add up, and once you have started down the private road I'm not sure how the NHS view you. There was much eye rolling from my GP when I said I had been to a fertility clinic in London - but she still ordered the tests I needed.

The Zita Clinic was keen I accessed all that I could from the NHS as it is free which surprised me.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Department (HFEA) on their website at
www.hfea.gov.uk give details of success rates for all clinics so you may be able to do a search in your area.

Good luck!

Hi I'm 9 weeks after treatment at Care Nottingham. They were excellent and I recommend them.
At the initial consultation I had an antral follicle scan and H had a SA, so that appt was about £350.
Array cgh ICSI with drugs was £6000. Freezing embryos was £450.
Expensive but worth it.
Good luck