Fertility investigations not sure where to turn

[NegativeNelly]

I've tried getting to speak to GP but they're booked up for months , when I did get through the appointment was cancelled and they couldn't rebook as they didn't know what availability they had. I've rung again, they offered me a phone call, but at no point said it was with an OOH gp who doesn't know me couldn't get my records up and couldn't refer me for tests so a complete waste of time even though I did say what the appointment is for.

I've rung again, they've said they don't offer face to face appointments now and the next routine telephone is in over two months away. I explained the situation said Id like to have an appointment about myself and partner to discuss us both but said I'd need to ring up every day and it is unlikely I'd get an appointment for us both to speak to the same GP. I'm not sure why its so difficult now.

I've now been TTC for over a year now, with no treatment. I just want to know what's wrong with me as I feel I am the problem to why we are failing

Is it worth going private? Could I just go private clinic or do I need to go to my GP for a referral ? I have no idea how this all works so any help would be greatly appreciated thank youx

I’m so sorry that sounds appalling. Could you register with a different GP surgery that is maybe not so oversubscribed?

I had a health condition unrelated to pregnancy a few years ago and I got no where with the GP. I eventually went privately and it was the best thing I ever did. A lot of private doctors work PT in the NHS as well so can refer you in if you need further treatment. If you can afford it, I think it can be worth it but that’s just my personal opinion and I’ve never gone privately for fertility reasons.

As an aside you could also consider putting a complaint in with your GP about not being able to get an appt (and what you said about speaking to an out of hours GP who didn’t have access to your notes). Usually they are keen to resolve complaints quickly, they have to respond in a certain period of time.

I second going to a different GP surgery personally. Two months is an unacceptable wait.
You can just go to a private clinic for a fertility MOT for a couple. You don't need to be referred.
Whilst in my experience private clinics will accept test results done my NHS/GPs when moving on to actual treatment, I'm not sure if the NHS/GP will insist on running the tests again or if they'll accept the private test outcomes. They might but you'll still need to book an appointment to get referred for fertility by your GP if you're entitled to treatment under the NHS.
Two months is nothing in the world of waiting for fertility support, but awful GP surgery treatment.

Make the appointment for 2 months time with the GP, it’s a shocking waiting time for a GP appointment but if that’s how they are operating then make the appointment so it’s in the book.

I would then do two more things, look for a better GP, one less subscribed who offers face to face. It’s disgusting that your surgery are not offering them, on this basis alone I’d look for somewhere else.

Id then go and have private assessment, the initial consultation and bloods will run toward about 500£, maybe less. You don’t need to be referred and most private clinics will see you within a couple of weeks.

then depending what your initial bloods tell you, you’ll have something to discuss at your GP appointment.

It’s disgusting it takes 2 months to get an appointment but in terms of NHS fertility treatment it’s not that long.

Sorry Op, this sucks and as others say it’s an unacceptably long wait.

I’d book an appointment and in the meantime arrange for your OH to have a private semen analysis. They are quick to arrange and not too expensive. This should indicate whether or not there’s any male factor infertility which will
help establish how to proceed.

Also look up what your NHS trust offers in terms of fertility treatment. If there’s nothing then there’s less incentive to wait around for the NHS.

good luck

I went private for investigations. Even when you’re referred it could take months again. For £500 we got a load of tests including semen analysis. I then took my results to my GP who refereed me for a hycosy & a few other blood tests.
If you can afford it, it’s a quick route.

Sorry to hear this OP. Does your GP surgery have an online contacting system if you log in to your NHS account? I’ve contacted mine via that before for a referral - you might be able to skip stages if you contact them that way.

We’ve been unsuccessful TTC and so far this what we’ve done -

Jan - Went to private gynae (for spotting rather than strictly fertility but discussed it all), had bloods and pelvic ultrasound. All clear but one blood needed repeated a few months later.

March - registered issue with gp via telephone consult, they arranged DH SA at a diagnostic clinic which he did in April

May - gp said SA result all fine

May - I go for f2f with gp to discuss next step, they hardly say anything but refer me on to nhs gynae/fertility. also arranged repeat bloods for the one flagged in Jan.

A few days later I’m contacted by nhs gynae/fertility clinic, first appt is booked for sept.

it could be worse, but I don’t want to wait that long so booked private HyCoSy for next cycle as it’s one of only tests I’ve not had, had to ask my gp online for a referral which they did within 48 hrs

Had text from gp today asking me to arrange tel appt to discuss recent blood result. Booked online via my patient app for tomorrow.

im disappointed the specialist referral is such a long wait, but must admit I’m impressed with my gp surgery! I guess if you can, do some private tests while you’re wait for nhs. My theory is if I need IUI or IVF I might get there more quickly on NHS as I’ve already done all the early testing.

good luck xx