NHS Referral times

[ilovetrees30]

I have one final test to get sorted so my referral can be sent to the NHS fertility clinic. I was just wondering how long the wait between the referral and first appointment typically was?

It varies hugely between providers, mine in Manchester was around 12 weeks for the initial appointment and to repeat the GP tests, the waiting is horrible

Ours was about 4 months - and then another 4 months between appointments for a couple of other tests and to get results. After that appointment it was about 9 months because they kept cancelling appointments - thus making me no longer 42 and no longer eligible for help from the NHS!!

We have just been re-referred. First time around we had couldn’t attend due to family circumstances.The only thing my gp said was to have 21 day bloods done and sperm analysis. What other test did you have done?

I'm interested to know this too. We're waiting for dh sperm analysis - nhs appt is on March so going private for that as don't want to wait so long.

I've had an transvaginal ultrasound, cd1-5 and cd21 blood tests, plus triple swabs. GP won't refer until dh SA results are back. Sounds like there's variation around the country though.

Waiting times are so rubbish. When's your next test @ilovetrees30?

@Mrsmch123 the tests we've had are
Cd2-5 fsh, lh, thyroid, rubella, testosterone (there may have been something else there was loads on there, can't really remember)
Cd21 progesterone, prolactin
Chlamydia swab
High vaginal swab - waiting on this one should have happened this week but due to nurse illness have to wait till the 31st. Gp forgot to ask for it too as the rest of the tests were completed by the beginning of December!

Sperm analysis

So looking like a wait then 😞 oh well hopefully now my overactive thyroid is sorted and I am off the meds now so I am hoping for a successful pregnancy traditionally.

Strange that different gps ask for different things. Mine was very much you have tried for for over 2 years so I will refer you as they are the specialist.

@Mrsmch123 the gp tried that but the referral was refused by the clinic and then we had to have all the tests. Then the referral was refused again because I hadnt had the high vaginal swab. Its been a nightmare!

@ilovetrees30
My GP referred us and we got a letter a week after with our first appointment about four weeks after that. I think it really depends on what area you live in unfortunately.
I hope you get your appointment soon, they will send for another SA though probably but it sounds like you've had all the other tests done.
Have you had an ultra sounds done yet to see if there's any issues like blockages or anything?

@DaisyMay25 why would we need another sperm analysis??

Nope not had any scans or anything. We did have a miscarriage at 5w4days last march/april.

We had about 4 months towait for initial appt.. but paid to see the consultant in her private clinic. So pleased we did as we needed ivf so saved four months of waiting. £400 but in terms of anxiety levels was worth it to find out yep there were issues.

They just check that the results are consistent.
I think the scan would be the first thing the clinic would send you for just to check everything. They'll be wanting to rule out everything possible.

Also sorry to hear about your miscarriage

@ilovetrees30 sorry to hear about your miscarriage.

As others have said the wait depends totally on your area. Once it had been submitted correctly (a bit of fluffing by my GP) I had the appointment within a few weeks with the gynae/infertility clinic. They referred me straight up to the IVF clinic. Approval for funds took about 5-7 days and I was offered an appointment 2 weeks later. There is no waiting list in my area. They did tell me that but I still panicked all the way through that it would take months. That was a London borough if that helps.

They decided to do all tests again as a few of mine were more than 3 months old. Some they like to be very recent and others within 6 months and a year. That didn't delay anything tho. I just popped into bloods after the appointment and we carried on from there.

Having done a private round of IVF and an NHS round (long story) I have to say how amazing it is to do the NHS one. For me it had less frills but was so much less stressful knowing that it was all free of charge so no difficult decisions about extra this or that or how much the tests cost or the drugs etc. It was an absolute privilege and I felt very lucky knowing how many areas no longer offer any IVF at all. Our baby girl was due yesterday (after what was technically a disastrous round of IVF).

I know how stressful it is but wish you really good luck with it and hope it works out for you xxx

I think mine was about 2 months between referral and the 1st appointment. We had to attend an information evening before the appointment. But once we had the appointment the IVF waiting list was 9 months. Everywhere is different but we couldn't wait that long so went private. Just be prepared there might be another long wait after the first appointment.

We had all the same tests that @ilovetrees30 mentions above - including 3 lots of day 21 bloods done on alternate months over a 5 month period as our GP wanted a pattern of anovulation before saying I was no longer ovulating especially because my day 3 bloods were good figure for my age.

The fertility clinic sent me for more repeat bloods including an AMH and then an untrasound and a HyCoSy to ensure there is no mechanical basis for not getting pregnant.