Refused NHS fertility referral

[BlueberryChia]

Hiya everyone, looking for some advice (and a vent)
I've just been told that I don't qualify for a referral to the fertility clinic because I'm over 40 and I'm confused- has anyone else been in this situation or able to offer advice?
I went to the GP when I was 39 because my husband and I had been trying for quite some time (no kids so far), at the time I thought my referral was to the fertility clinic and I had all the tests done and he had his sperm analysis.
Results were no issues with me, some motility issues with the sperm.
So.... fast forward to June 2024 and the clinic that did my tests have asked my GP to refer me to the fertility clinic.... but I thought I WAS with the clinic to begin with?!?! And the GP surgery's secretaries and the nurse are saying I don't qualify for a referral due to my age!!
I've tried to explain to them that I was within the referral criteria when I first went to the GP for the referral and I thought this what was done at the time. I have been undergoing tests for over a year now just to be told that I don't qualify for a referral for the fertility clinic.
Feels like a massive let down and waste of my time!
Anyone been in this situation or have any advice, please?? 😓

Different areas have different cut offs..

Mine = 38.5 years ..

If u look on nhs appt - you should be able to see who they did refer u to back then - gynae ? Fertility ?

Is your OH taking well man max with zinc ?
Thats whar fertility clinic suggested to mine

Have u had a recent transvaginal scan ?

Have u heard of hertility health ? - they test many things including amh - i recommend them

Hello

I’m sorry to hear about your experience. I was referred age 40 and offered one round of treatment age 41. This seems to be in line with the NHS guidelines.

Here are the recommendations of what you should be offered but it looks like in practice it varies by postcode:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/ivf/availability/

Hi OP, it varies by area, it really is a bit of a postcode lottery.

It sounds like your original referral was to have the checks that were done and you got those results back, so that is “referral complete”. The GP asked for X and Y to be done, so X and Y were done.

Now you want Z done, it’s a separate referral, and if you’re above the cut off age then it’s not doable.

It is so frustrating, sorry.

It’s also worth checking the link above to see what the age cut off is in your area for IVF. The GP may just refuse the referral because they know in your area you’re not going to be entitled to IVF anyway in which case there’s no point, there really aren’t many with a cut off over 40 so definitely check.

I didn’t qualify on NHS.

Spent about £25k I didn’t have in the end.

I knew I wanted to be a mum above EVERYTHING else.

As a previous poster says, these are two different referrals - the first for fertility tests, and the next for IVF.

I would check they are following the guidelines for your area, but if so, you may just be out of luck, which is shit.

If private is an option, I would start contacting clinics now. It'll take a little while to get booked in for your initial consultation and then treatment, and with things being so time sensitive, you want to make sure you are moving forward. You can have initial conversations with private clinics whilst attempting to appeal the NHS decision (if you choose to do that).

I don't know about the limits for fertility clinic referrals, but in my area you have to have had all tests and been approved for IVF before you turn 39 in order to qualify. It seems to vary quite a lot though between NHS trusts! Really depends on your local CCG. The absolute ceiling on the NHS for fertility treatment looks like it's 42.