NHS referrals to Fertility Clinic - waiting times etc.

[Havingkittens]

Hello. I've been referred to UCH Fertility Clinic but am having trouble getting through to them to find this out. Can anyone tell me how long, from the referral being sent, it takes to get an appointment. Also, what to expect. Do they do all the tests at the first appointment or do you have to wait ages for each set of tests/scans etc. And then how long does it generally take to get test results back?

I have been to see a consultant privately and am trying to weigh up the costs vs the time it will costs me to wait to have this done on NHS. I am 42 in a month and have lost 6 pregnancies so far. I used to get pregnant really easily (just not get past the first trimester) but now I can't seem to get pregnant.

Another question (sorry!) is, do they do the HyCoSy scan on the NHS?

Any info greatly appreciated.

It was a while ago now, but I was referred to UCH's Reproductive Medicine Unit. If I remember correctly, DH and I were seen within a couple of months (sorry, can't remember exactly, but I'm sure it was no longer than that).

I don't know which number you've been calling, but you could try these: 020 3447 9759 and 020 7380 9697, or email [email protected] or [email protected] - if you get no joy there, maybe try the main switchboard and ask to be put through. I do remember it was difficult to get through on the phones sometimes, so it seems as though things haven't changed much.

I'm really sorry to hear about your losses. My situation was different from yours, and so the procedure might be different, but my initial tests were carried out fairly swiftly, as they were just blood tests. We were seen by Mr Salim, who was really lovely and made us feel very reassured. He talked through everything with DH and I, took lots of info and outlined the tests that we would be taking and what they were for. He also told us about the treatments available at UCH.

We then had to go to the blood place in the main building (I can't remember when DH gave his sample), and I had to return after I had my next period (can't remember exactly how many days after) for further blood tests.

I had to wait quite a long time until my next period arrived, which was very frustrating as I was anxious to get all the results. Once it arrived, I had the additional tests and saw Mr Salim soon after for the results. They were clear, so he arranged for further tests which meant coming in for day surgery. Again, this appointment didn't take too long to come through but I was told I couldn't confirm the appointment until I had a further period, to rule out pregnancy.

That period never came, and I (finally) got my BFP. I ended up having an ultrasound on the day that was provisionally booked for my op.

I think they do HyCoSy at UCH, but I'm not 100% sure - sorry.

Best of luck, and sorry I can't remember the timescales more clearly. I just remember that once the ball started rolling everything happened quite quickly and smoothly. I hope they can see you soon.

Thanks for that info. I will try calling that number when I get a bit of time and see if I have more luck getting through.

I saw Rehan Selim at the recurrent miscarriage clinic there. He is indeed a sweetheart.

I would do both, that was what we did due to advancing age.
We saw the NHS clinic to be referred to CRGH in Dec / Jan I booked a private consultation at Hammersmith for the Feb we had that consultation and actually out NHS one about 2 weeks later. We then had a round of NHS natural IVF in May / June which was our 1 and only go and then commenced private treatment in July.

My history is 1 termination for chromosome abnormalities at 14 weeks, 2 12 week mmc and then 12 months (now 2 years) of no sniff at a pregnancy.

With our 1st round of private ivf we had the embryos tested to check their chromosomes were normal, which has ruled out chromosome issues as the main reason for our failure to reproduce!

Thanks helterskelter. I am planning to do that too. I finally got through to UCH fertility clinic, thanks to Browneyesblue's info (although the number has changed, but a recorded message told me that), and it seems they don't do the HyCoSy scan there so I will get that done privately whilst I get all my blood tests done on the NHS. I won't qualify for IVF on the NHS as I am just about to turn 42 and I think they have a cut off point of 39.

I have a sort of similar history to you helterskelter. Have been TTC for 4.5 yrs and had 4 miscarriages and 2 terminations for chromosome abnormalities. I am currently under Mr Shehata's care on the NHS having treatment for NK Cells as the RMC at UCH turned up no reason for my miscarriages and since being tested for NK Cells, found my levels are very high so my immune system might be rejecting my pregnancies. I am now seeing Mr Shehata for the fertility issues at his private clinic to try and speed things up a bit. Also I am worried about Asherman's Syndrome being a cause for my sudden difficulty in conceiving, having had so many D&Cs/ERPCs. Hopefully the HyCoSy scan will answer this question.

I'm sorry you've been through the mill too. Do you know about NK Cells? They can also cause failure to implant as well as miscarriages further down the line.