Barts health

[ChPas]

Hi everyone,

Finally have my first appointment with Barthes Health (Farringdon) on the 7th of July for ivf. This is through the NHS so I know that the waiting times can be a bit long. Just wanted to see if anyone has any recent experience with NHS funded ivf, and how long they had to wait from the time of initial assessment to the actual ivf treatment?

Thanks a lot
Ch

Hi! Our fertility consultant (also Barts) referred us on 22nd May. I had a call from a lovely nurse at the next week to say we were on their waiting list. She told me that there would be a long wait - I asked whether she thought it would be before the end of the year (the fertility consultant had said he thought it would be) and she said they’re hopeful that would be the case but really don’t know at the moment. She said that they were hoping to get people who had their cycles cancelled going again in July. Apparently about 300 couples had their treatment disrupted and from then to when she spoke to me there were another 200 couples waiting. It’s so hard waiting and not knowing.

Hello,

That is such a shame about the long waiting time :(. Thank you so much for taking your time to reply to me. At least I know what to expect now.

Good luck!

I don’t know if it makes a difference though, that we’ve not had any actual IVF clinic appointments at all which is maybe what you’re having in July?

Hello:).

No, unfortunately I haven't had the actual IVF appointment either. I haven't even had the initial phone consultation yet, it is on the 7th of July :(.

Hi! We're a little earlier in our journey. We were referred to BARTS by our GP 3 weeks ago and awaiting an appointment at the hospital. Does anyone know a direct number we can call them on? Ahead of the appointment (assuming we get one fairly soon...) is there anything we need to prepare/take to keep this efficient?
Thanks :-)

Hi Jkjellyhead,
We were also referred to Barts around 3 weeks ago. I called their Fertility Services today (0203 465 5050) and was told to email [email protected] our referral/appointment. However, they're still processing August referrals and then they estimate a 2-3 month wait for the appointment, so it's probably going to be a while before we get seen.
I hope that helps!

@beachbum85 thank you so much for sharing this information! I’ve emailed them at that address now. I understand the waiting time, what a difficult year it must be for all NHS staff. Even if we get an appointment in the future it would put my mind at ease. Stay safe & let’s keep in touch.

@Jkjellyhead
Yes, same here, I would feel a lot better if I knew the timescales we can expect.
I'll let you know if I hear back, and please keep me posted too x

Hi again @Jkjellyhead
Yesterday I called Barts' Patient Advice and Liaison Service, and they suggested I forward my email to [email protected] and make sure my NHS number is on there.
I did that right away, thinking it would end up in another email black hole, and have just heard back - they've scheduled a telephone appointment for mid December .
Let me know if that works for you... we could end up IVF buddies!

@beachbum85 congratulations! That’s such happy news! I’ll do that right away and fingers crossed we’re as lucky as you. I’d love an IVF buddy!

Thank you! I'm so relieved!
Definitely keeping my fingers crossed for you! Let's hope that you get an appointment around the same time

Hey @Jkjellyhead, did you hear back from Barts at all?

Hi @beachbum85 yes! I have a phone consultation on Mon between 9.30 - 1pm. I'm not sure what will be discussed but I'm grateful to be talking to someone there. Is this your first appointment too? Do you know if we need to do anything beforehand? (Also, I don't know too much about this forum but I'm happy to chat to you directly over WhatsApp?) x

Sounds great! I've sent you a private message xx