NHS IVF wait times Scotland/Glasgow

[Maf2122]

Hi all,

We have just paid for a private fertility test and the results are clear that ICSI is really the only route forward. My results weren't great either.

We are trying to decide whether to bash on with private (my preference) or start with NHS. It's difficult to get an answer from my GP, does anyone know what the NHS waiting times currently are for actual treatment in Glasgow? I just assumed they would be very high due to pandemic but am I jumping the gun?

Hi, sorry you find yourself here - I hope you find success. I'd suggest contacting GCRM (private), Glasgow Royal Fertility (private) and Glasgow Royal Infirmary's Assisted Conception Service (NHS) and asking each of them for the current information about timescales for starting treatment. There seems to have been a lot of changes in the past couple of years, so it's probably best to get the most up to date information from the clinics themselves.

I was with ACS for NHS- funded ICSI and had a positive experience overall. There was quite a wait but we'd been referred just before the pandemic so we got hit with the chaos of the first and second waves. I'd expect the waiting times are probably shorter now!

In Scotland, we're able to have up to 3 cycles of IVF. If you have a private cycle, it removes one of your 'free cycles', but you'd still have your other cycles to use. So, for example, if you were on the NHS waiting list and had a private cycle while waiting, you'd still be entitled to have 2 NHS cycles.

There's a dedicated thread on here for IVF in Scotland too - you might want to ask questions there as well, as there are a few people in the Glasgow area...

@Scirocco

Hi, sorry you find yourself here - I hope you find success. I'd suggest contacting GCRM (private), Glasgow Royal Fertility (private) and Glasgow Royal Infirmary's Assisted Conception Service (NHS) and asking each of them for the current information about timescales for starting treatment. There seems to have been a lot of changes in the past couple of years, so it's probably best to get the most up to date information from the clinics themselves.

I was with ACS for NHS- funded ICSI and had a positive experience overall. There was quite a wait but we'd been referred just before the pandemic so we got hit with the chaos of the first and second waves. I'd expect the waiting times are probably shorter now!

In Scotland, we're able to have up to 3 cycles of IVF. If you have a private cycle, it removes one of your 'free cycles', but you'd still have your other cycles to use. So, for example, if you were on the NHS waiting list and had a private cycle while waiting, you'd still be entitled to have 2 NHS cycles.

There's a dedicated thread on here for IVF in Scotland too - you might want to ask questions there as well, as there are a few people in the Glasgow area...

Hello S, thanks for this. I'm already with GCRM and their waiting times are very low. I can't seem to get a response from the NHS, albeit I have been told the standard 12 months to screening which is much longer than GCRM. I just can't seem to get any specific info.

Is it the case that if I have 3 private rounds that cancels out all of our NHS opportunities?

Wow, 12 months to screening seems a long time!

Yes, I think 3 private cycles would mean you wouldn't be eligible for any NHS cycles... But if time is an issue it might be worth taking that chance? Did GCRM give you any advice about whether waiting could affect your chances of success?

@Scirocco

Wow, 12 months to screening seems a long time!

Yes, I think 3 private cycles would mean you wouldn't be eligible for any NHS cycles... But if time is an issue it might be worth taking that chance? Did GCRM give you any advice about whether waiting could affect your chances of success?

I know. And I know from friends who have just had NHS treatment that it took a long time too.

Nothing specific yet but I'm 34 and don't want to leave it any longer if possible given the general statistics. If NHS was only a few extra months then I might be inclined to wait but I don't think it will be...

Thanks for your advice xx