So I live in the only region where I can't access fertility treatment on NHS

[TigerseyeMum]

I have been looking through all the data around fertility treatment and discovered I'm in one if the few pockets of the UK where assisted conception and IVF is not funded beyond the age of 35.

NICE guidelines recommend 39 and most PCTs adhere to this. For women with known causes of infertility like I have (severe endo) it can go up to 42.

Sadly my GP confirmed this week that although they will run basic tests I will not be eligible for any treatment.

I was37 when we started ttc because my endo was so severe and now 2.5 years later I am 39. My GP would not refer me earlier than this despite guidance.

I was recommended by the experts at the John Radcliffe to have treatment with them up to age 39 but due to where I live this will not be funded.

I feel really gutted :(

Anyone know if local restrictions can be challenged? Mh region is the only one with a cut off age of 35, before that it was 37 (so I'd still be ineligible now but wouldn't have been when I started ttc).

It feels really unfair for me not to have treatment when someone across the border can have it :(

No help but that is bollocks!
Feel shit for you!

Check out infertility network website which has advice on challenging your PCT.

Best of luck - the ridiculous postcode lottery and sadly is just set to get worse thanks to budget cuts and the drive for 'localism'. I really hope you can successfully challenge the position in your area.

Thank you. I will look and see what I can do. And hope I get my appointment through soon. John Radcliffe said they would fast track me but I have to be referred to my local hospital. Perhaps the consultant will have some ideas.

Urgh, more googling has shown that my pct are being sued right now by a couple for this very reason. They refuse any appeals and offer no flexibility.

I don't think I have the energy to take out legal proceedings against them. My only hope is they are being abolished in April.

Sorry to hear that Tiger it's crap and do very unfair. TBH in your position I think it's worth considering whether you can just go ahead to private rather than waiting to see what happens re the PCT being sued. I know it's not an option for everyone but it's not always as much as you think - if you don't need ICSI (so no make factor) you can probably do it for 4k.

Best of luck.

It stinks - to be frank! As others have said it is worth outlining why your treatment has been delayed to the pct so it is at least registered.

No comfort to you but I think nice are changing guidelines to up the age even further. 42? It's hard, hard, hard and unfortunately as the majority of people don't experience the problem, insight and sympathy is low in the general population.

If it is any use to you at all, my last private round cost 5k but i was on super strength drugs. My advice for ivf if you can afford to pay at all, is to not see it as a one off treatment as most people need a few rounds. FYI - (in the hope your pct may change its position) you can combine private and nhs treatment as long as you do not exceed 3 rounds total (excluding any FET). Also, I would write to your MP and outline the issue. It is grossly unfair. May not achieve what you want but I think the general population is woefully ignorant if what you are going through so it may raise general awareness of the problem.

Thank you - I am going to gather info then write to the health secretary and my MP.

I have read the consultation document and the questions they asked the public were highly misleading and they openly state they are limiting access for financial reasons. So blatant age discrimination as they are using it to screen out patients. Other health factors are not taken into consideration.

In fact the public were not on their side and petitioned but they went ahead anyway...

It's disgusting, how they went about it.

I work in mental health - should we ration treatment for older adults because they don't have jobs to sustain??? Or limit access to counselling for young men because they are less likely to improve??? As if. We bend over backwards to deliver the guidelines. Obviously not all areas prioritise patient distress and suffering as highly as we do.

And sorry to not reply to any PMs, I try but the replies just don't seem to be sending. Messages much appreciated though :)

Cheshire west (fortunately not my pct) also did a consultation questionnaire that was left in gp surgeries for the 'public' (probably a demographic with an over representation of pensioners and parents with young kids) to fill out. The questions were embarrassingly leading plus I have never known allocation of any other funding by referendum! Anyhow my blood boiled to read it.

Would you be able to fund private treatment?

I doubt we would, having moved to a run down house and DH taking a large payout last year.

It's possible, depending on what needs doing. I got my referral letter through today so will make an appointment ASAP.