Changing doctor to be eligible for IVF on NHS

[daffodil999]

Hi all,
Has anyone ever changed doctors to gain access to NHS funded IVF?
I live in Berkshire and have had had all the relevant testing to start IVF. Frustratingly my area doesn't provide funding to women over 34 but my neighbouring county offers two cycles of IVF until 39 so I'm considering trying to get into a doctors there. My question is has anyone tried this and does it add a lot of time getting through the system again? I'm ready to start IVF privately if necessary but want to see if this would be an option if it doesn't add lots of time to the process.

Thanks in advance

Have you checked you’re within the other gp catchment area? They might not accept you if you’re outside the catchment or ICB which would prevent you doing this.
some organisations don’t fund xyz for people not within their ICB/post code either. They’d have to apply for individual funding request which I’d imagine would get knocked back

but if you did change gp and you’re already referred not additional time would be added, but you’d need to update the trust you’ve been referred to that your gp details have changed.

id check though x

I did - albeit 28 years ago. It was relatively straightforward and of course I got free IVF.

Completely honestly having had my children at 38 and 40 if you have the funds i would just get cracking.

It i had been in a position to have them earlier i 💯 would have

You can always pursue gaming the system as a back up but i would just want to get on with it

Our GP is really strict on boundaries. There's set practices to cover areas and you couldn't switch unless you moved. Yours may be more lax but it's less likely given the different county and the ivf policy would surely have become a thing they're aware of people signing up for. Maybe you'll be lucky but definitely don't hold off on the private path on that basis.

Thanks for your replies, that's really helpful. I live close to the border of the different boards and wondered if it was worth a try. There are GPs in Woking which come under Surrey heath and would be using the same fertility clinic which appear to be willing to take people from outside the area. I will investigate it at the same time as pursuing the private option and see if it is possible