Walk me through how long it takes (NHS referral)?

[Hawse]

Hi, I've now been referred by my GP and been given an appointment with the NHS fertility clinic in my area (though was a bit surprised to see it's 3.5 months away). Once this appointment occurs, what are everyone else's experiences in follow up appointments and timelines? How long from referral to treatment (whether Clomid / IUI / IVF / etc) did it take in your area? Just curious, and wondering if I should book in a private appointment in the meantime. Huge thanks for anyone answering and to those going through this.

I can’t remember the exact timings for each stage but I know that it took about 9 months from the first referral until we had our first IVF appointment (the initial discussion and protocol info etc)

After the gp referred us it was about 3 months for our first fertility appointment. After that we then went on the IVF waiting list which was 9 months in our area. We went private instead. No clomid was offered as I do ovulate. They said we could pay for a round of iui if we wanted but it isn't funded by the NHS as the success rates are low. It all just depends on your area and how long the waiting list is, there might not even be a waiting list.

We had our first appt in march.
I was sent for various scans with my last one being in July
My hubbys sperm analysis is next wk and our results appt is booked for 13th aug.
Then depending on results from all the tests who knows what will be next
When they gave me the results appt for August they did also say see how i get on with all my scans and call to see if there is any earlier appts.
It has flown by to be honest

3 years. Go private if you can.

We were referred by our GP Sept 18. Had 6 cycles of ovulation drugs (3 clomid and 3 letrozole). Then referred for IVF, which we started this month. First appointment with the IVF clinic was in June. I was pretty proactive in driving things forwards and ensuring no opportunities for fitting in investigations etc were missed.

So far the whole thing is 2 years and we are just getting towards hopefully starting IVF. It has been very slow and frustrating. From first appointment at the hospital to the second was over 6 months

Scotland. Referred in Feb one year, started treatment just over a year later.

It really depends on area. We were referred October seen october and started first cycle of ivf 31/12 - it would have been sooner but Christmas was in the way. That cycle failed. Did second cycle (private but at same clinic as nhs cycle) in April and was successful. So we had 2 cycles of ivf within 6 months of referral! My son is just about to turn 6 months!

It’s worth noting my GP would have referred me to nearest clinic but I did my research and asked to be referred to one slightly further away (I checked that my CCG would still pay and that the clinic would have accepted me) and I went there instead - so pleased I did. They were amazing.

Make sure you do your research!

It's taken us a year from being reffered for tests we are booked in for egg collection tomorrow, it's taken 7 months from being reffered for ivf were in Bradford xx