NHS IVF Glasgow Royal Infirmary

[heatherandhares]

Hi

Does anyone have experience of the NHS IVF service in Glasgow and specifically how long it took from their first consultation to start of treatment cycle?

We are on the waiting list for NHS funded IVF via NHSGGC Assisted Conception Service at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. We have had two semen analyses (one private, one NHS) and I have had an antral follicle count and AMH privately. We had a private consultation after these results (via GCRM) which diagnosed MFI and recommended ICSI.

We were referred in October and have a consultant appointment in April but are unsure whether we should just go for the self funded option instead, as I'm in my late thirties and concerned about success rates declining. Apparently there's a 3 month wait for start of cycles in the Glasgow Royal self funded service just now, so am a bit concerned it will be ages before we start if going via NHS route. Equally, as things are in train with NHS, would rather not pay thousands of pounds if don't have to!

When I rang the NHS waiting list coordinator and was given the April appointment, I asked about rough timescales for starting treatment, she said something about a six months target but it depends when the doctor decided when the clock had started - which was all a bit confusing.

Would be grateful if anyone has any recent experience of their timescales between referral - consultant appointment - starting treatment.

Thanks

Hello. I’ve had my first telephone consult in May which confirmed we are ICSI. My husband had bloods for genetic testing (unsure if routine or specific for him as they didn’t say) and awaiting these results as can take 4 months. I have my next apt (ART) apt very end of July and who knows from there. It’s a waiting game unfortunately

Hi - quick recap is that I was put on IVF waiting list in March backdated to January and told roughly 7 months wait. I was given letrozole to try while we waited and very blessed to say it worked and we fell pregnant. At the start of June the ACS called and offered me a cancellation the following week for my ART appointment - so my wait wouldn’t have been as long as they said. I am local though so would have been easy for us to take a cancellation.

Congrats, amazing that worked for you. Can I ask if your partner had any male infertility factors? I also have used letrozole for the first time last week but both husband and I are affected. Thanks

@Cocoogam yes we had both male and female factors - I had PCOS with irregular cycles and my husband had low count and bad morphology so we feel incredibly blessed. The consultant did say it was possible - I think if there is sperm there is always a chance!

Hi, my husband and I were referred under the NHS for IVF with ICSI. We were told it would be a 17 week wait for the initial consultation with the doctor so have decided to go privately. We have chosen to go with Glasgow royal fertility. I have had the AMH test and have the initial consultation in about 2 weeks. I was wondering if anyone knows how quickly you can start IVF after consultation? They said they do their best to get you iin your first cycle. Mine would be two weeks after my consultation.

Hi Heather, my husband and I are currently in the process of this with glasgow royal, after consultation you get sent swabs to do and bring along to your first appointment. We then had a consent appointment with a nurse. I'm also self funded, I've been told there's still a wait at the royal so it might be second period before they can book me in, however they did say if they can't take you the first period they can almost pencil you in for the next one.

I'd recommend get MMR confirmation of vaccination as well, my gp could confirm I had this as they didn't have a record that far back, so I've had to get MMR done before the treatment can commence.

Also I think there are different protocol depending on age, amh etc. I've been told from starting the process it'll be over 2 periods so first one you call up if they can take you they get us both booked in for bloods day 14 or 21 depending on protocol and then the injections etc are the next period... at least that's how I've picked up the information. Good luck ! Xx

@heather3001 @Monyb I've just got booked in for a self funded round. Unfortunately my first cycle would have fallen during their closure and I then didn't get booked in for a further 3 rounds 😩😩 I think they were probably busier than usual following the summer closure though.

Hi all wondering if anyone would be able to help a little. We were referred to the infertility clinic in April due to a (thankfully shoddy) home semen test for my husband. We were told in July that all our tests were fine and we’d have to wait until we’d been trying for 2 years to be considered for IVF and placed on a waiting list. Unfortunately, there’s been a few personal developments which may really reduce our chance of conceiving naturally and we’re now at the stage wondering whether we should wait another 10 months to place ourselves on IVF waitlist or whether we go down the private route.

a few questions (not sure if anyone could help out with experience they’ve had)

• when it comes to the 2 year mark I assume we will have to go through all our referral to hops from dr stage/tests. Does anyone have an updated timeline of how long they’ve been quoted between initial referral to hospital and starting an IVF cycle?
• same Q with private clinic - does anyone have an average timeline and price? I’ve looked at the Glasgow clinic reviews on google and they’re not filling me with hope…. Anyone had experience with them?

thanks so much for any advice - we’re just trying to weight up the options.

Hi @Sabrinafive I can't help with the NHS side of things, but we've just had a cycle of ICSI through the private clinic at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRFC). Their price list is online but from memory you'll be around £500 for initial tests and consultation. The actual treatment will be around £6000 including medication - this depends on your specific medication. The tests and consultation should all be booked within a month or so. It can take a couple of months to book in for actual treatment depending on space. They also close for 2 weeks over Christmas so there may be a backlog from this. I've always had an excellent experience with them, can't fault them. Initially getting in contact can be tricky but from then on I've found them great.

Hi @itsmschanandlerbong thank you so much for the information. Would they require tests to be redone if these have just been completed in the last 6 months or would this be something that could be transferred over? Would you know of an initial contact telephone number? Thank you so much

Hi there

I'm similar where I can comment on the nhs side. My husband and I initially got tests done through GCRM private clinic in Glasgow, the test and consultation was all completed withing 4 weeks. I initially didn't have good first impression with glasgow royal because its difficult to speak to them hence why deciding to go with GCRM. However our follow up consultation after tests made me feel like the speel was generic and not specific to us as a couple, I've got endometriosis and this didn't even get mentioned. We had also engaged in a consultation abroad via zoom and emailed them our tests results and medical history they seemed much more insightful and knowledgeable.

After considering this and re looking at reviews we contacted glasgow royal self funded. They arranged for a consultation over the summer but it did take about 4 weeks, they took our results of tests from GCRM as they were within 6 months so we didn't need to redo these. We did pay £250 I think for a 30 min appointment. We ended up going with glasgow royal.

It has taken longer than we thought waiting on period coming then the first month they were full and couldn't book us in. They did provisional book for my next period. I'm getting bloods done on Friday and think injections will started a week or two after than.

Good luck

hi @Monyb thank you so much for the information - sorry this might be a silly question (so much info atm) but can I just confirm you mean Glasgow Royal Fertility Clinic is where you’re choosing? I thought GCRM was the only one in Scotland we could assess privately so this is really useful to know. I did read reviews about GCRM and they’ve really put us on edge about contacting them so thank you for your feedback. How long between contacting GRFC and starting your first cycle do you think this will have been then and (hopefully not a rude question) but would you mind letting me know how much this costs? Good luck to you - let us know how you get on x

@Sabrinafive 0141 956 0509 is their number. It took us around 6 months from initial tests to pregnancy test but keep in mind a cycle of IVF actually takes 2 period cycles. GRFC is the private side of the NHS clinic, so we saw the same consultants, nurses, sat in the same rooms as we did during our NHS rounds. GCRM is a completely private clinic ran for profit. We stuck with Glasgow Royal because we had a good experience with them 2 years ago.

Hi sorry , yes I did contact glasgow royal first but had to leave messages with with the GCRM I think it's maybe a call centre type thing covering all of the UK, but they got back straight away. I did opt against going there.

I first contacted glasgow royal to start the process with them mid June I think, there was a delay with summer holidays. Bit due to start first cycle November . It actually is quite a while when I count back .... I had consultation end July then got appointment for bloods August time.
Also had to get MMR vaccine, which I couldn't confirm I had done as a child...get this done if you haven't already .I needed 2 doses which are given 4 weeks apart and you cant start treatment until 4 weeks after as its a live vaccine.

Then I called 1st September as the first day of my period and was told they were full but did pencil me in. I called again 4 weeks later and they've booked me jn for Friday for more bloods and consent appointment.

The icsi treatment cycle and medication I think is £5700 , we did pay £250 on top for the initial consultation and I had paid about £500 for consultation and all the test with gcrm.

Thanks I'll let you know how I get on, feel free to ask anything. I do feel better about choosing the glasgow royal self funded option but doing that did delay things a bit for me changing and having to have a consultation with them. If I'd went with gcrm I think I would have done the first cycle, but just didn't feel right.

Hi @Monyb @itsmschanandlerbong thank you both so much for the info. I’m going to call GRFC and see if I can get some info today. Hope you both have a positive week x

Hey again, sorry to be a pest. Wondering if either of you have required a hysteroscopy as part of your self funded IVF process before proceeding to starting? I was offered one through our testing with NHS though the specialist had advised she didn’t think there would be any reason for issue there but could put my mind at rest. If I’m being honest the two options I was given terrified me after reading up on them and I’d decided not to progress with one if they didn’t think it was something concerning (I’d have rather waited a while longer). Just wondering if this is something I’ll be required to undergo anyway if going privately and if either of yoh have had it done whether you can share your experience. Thank you x

Hey, with the Glasgow Royal whe I was first exploring the GCRM V GRFC told me I didn't need any internal scans.

With GCRM they recommended a transvaginal scan as part of my initial tests, which I was happy with due to me having endometriosis. They could tell me there wasn't any visible issues , however it's limited I think the hysteroscopy is more advanced. However I didn't get offered this and they knew my history so I imagine you will be fine if you decide against this. Xx

Thanks so much @Monyb - your advice has been a massive help x

Hello. Currently undergoing stimulation ready for egg retrieval.
what’s people thoughts on going abroad during the 2WW? Is there anything that you would need to be close to your fertility unit for? I assume you just are waiting to test but I may be being naive? Maybe in pain?

Thanks

Hey, I'm not 100% sure a out during the wait. I'm on day 5 stims just now and due to go abroad 27th December. When I asked about flying then if it were to work I'd prob be about 6 weeks , I was told there's no risk flying the risk is it you were to have an ectopic pregnancy and be in the air with no medics if your tubes were to rupture... flying itself isn't a risk. Its slight different as at that point I'll know if it has or hasn't worked.

They have said to take it easy during 2 week weight, not to carry anything heavy , so don't carry suitcase etc. Hopefully the clinic will be able to answer properly.

Are you at the royal as well? Good luck with egg retrieval

Hi, I’m not really sure the answer I’m looking for but i was speaking to the nurse today she mentioned I’m on the waiting list for ivf at Glasgow Royal ACS unit and will recieve a letter when I’m at the top of the waiting list. Due to start in feb. I was wondering if anyone has any experience of this stage. Does the letter come like two weeks before you start treatment

Hiya, if I remember correctly ypu get a letter to confirm you are on the waiting list then when you are due your appointment it will be a phone, if you call the booking line on the number or you can ask the nurses for this too, they'll be able to tell you more info on when you will be expected to be seen and also all the next steps the girls are so lovely

Thank you!

Hi all - we have our consultation next week to discuss our IVF options with the hope of beginning early next year. Is there anything I should ask at this appointment? I’m really conscious it’s only 30 minutes but seems like such little time for such a big life conversation.

also wondering if anyone told their families that they were going through IVF? Ours don’t even know we’ve been trying so im really worried about it coming as a shock to them, or upsetting them. I feel like I don’t want to tell them because it takes the excitement away of actually (hopefully) surprising them when we’re having a baby, but I feel like it’s getting difficult to avoid the situation. I’m worried that if I tell them I’ll feel there’s more of an expectation for it to work? Any advice or experience on how to speak to them about it would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there, we told my mum and dad once we were in the process but before starting the injections and stuff. My husband still hasn't told his mum but he's not that close to her and much more private than I am.

We've got a 10 year old son and very very lucky to have conceived him naturally. But never managed to have a second. My family were initially worried about it and didn't take it as well as I thought but think that's partly due to my age I'm 39, they kinda said why didn't you do it earlier... which is a whole other story.

Anyway we cleared that all up and they've been really supportive during the treatment. Taking my son to school at short notice etc.

I'm in the 2 week wait just now , which I must say is much worse than anything else the not knowing but hoping the test day will come quickly!!

Good luck in your journey. Xx