Fertility referral Sussex

[BabyGG1]

Hi,

Finally been referred for fertility treatment in sussex. GP has said we will see a specialist GP in our area to finish off our clomid we've started privately and get further testing done before going down the IVF route.

Anyone able to give me any idea of the time frame they had to wait for initial appointment? And wether they saw a specialist gp first or someone else? What happened at your first appointment?

Thank you!!

Hey! I’m in East Sussex. From when we got referred (this was after all the testing which took a while as it was a 3 month wait at the hospital each time to see the gynaecologist) it was pretty quick it all happened during the first lockdown.

So I think it was end of April when we had the final consolation which was over the phone to say we were being referred for NHS funding and got a call about 2/3 weeks later saying it had all been approved and they would call when I had an appointment.

After about a month so June I called (I think they forgot about me) and got my first appointment a few days later. He just went through how IVF worked and what protocol I would be on and how long the process would be. Said they were a bit behind obviously due to COVID so to call at the end of July.

So I called then and I started my first round at the end of august which was successful but unfortunately ended in a missed miscarriage end of October. So now we are planning to do another fresh cycle (I didn’t get any frozen eggs from my cycle) middle of February hopefully.

Sorry for the long message. Hope it helps

@Alexm06 Hey thanks so much for replying!! We've had some test done privately whilst we was waiting to get the referral so hopefully that should speed things along as we paid for our clomid privately!

In my area they refer you to a specialist gp instead of to the gynaecologist to do the tests before then applying for funding for IVF ect. Hope you don't mind me asking but how long did you wait from your gp referring you to the gynaecologist to having your first appointment?

So sorry to hear about your loss, hope this next lockdown doesn't affect your next cycle too much hope it all goes well ❤️

@BabyGG1 I think it was about 3 months from gp to having my gynaecologist appointment. Then it was tests but one test they didn’t send a me a letter to have a scan so then they said I hadn’t turned up (why would I not turn up) so then went for the scan and had to wait 3 months again for another gynaecologist appointment so a bit delayed.

I think all in all must have been about a year from first seeing the gp and then having the first appointment. But like I said we were delayed 3 months and also they found a cyst when I had the scan so had to wait to see the gynaecologist for him to send me for another scan again (where the cyst he gone) then another 3 months to see him. So really was 6 months delayed.

So I would say without the silly delays would have been about 6 months but from being referred to starting I feel was quicker then some others during COVID but my clinic had no waiting list before it so maybe that’s why.

Oh god me too I’m stressing a bit as they haven’t updated their website so I have no idea what’s happening. Do you know what clinic you will be going to yet?

@Alexm06 thank you! So silly to say you wouldn't turn up we wait long enough for the appointments and stuff 😂 it's all such a waiting game isn't it and I'm not the most patient person in the world!!

I will be going to the agora as already having my other stuff done there so makes sense to carry on there once we get the funding? What clinic are you at? Il keep my fingers crossed for you that everything carries on as normal!!!

@BabyGG1 I know my partner and I were like I’m sorry what! Why would we not turn up haha but yeah my gynaecologist (who is also the Clinic Director & HFEA Person Responsible) is pretty blunt and a bit cold but is good at his job so I can’t complain. God I know I hate all the waiting!

Yeah that makes sense. Is it good there? I think my friend might be going there once she finally gets referred she has to lose a bit of weight first. I’m at the Sussex downs in Eastbourne it’s only like a 5 minute drive from mine so it’s been pretty easy haha I know some people have to travel for ages!

@Alexm06 at least he is good at his job that's the main thing I guess, sometimes it all a bit emotional and stressful so you want a bit of empathy!

Yeah all good so far we did think about the Eastbourne on but it's an hour and a bit away and the agora is only 45 mins so made more sense! Handy that your only 5 mins away!!! X