Who refers for IVF/ assisted conception?

[Englishrose35]

Hi all,

A very quick and probably basic question.

Who refers for IVF/ assisted conception?

If seen at a fertility clinic for remaining tests - can they then refer directly for IVF/ assisted conception?

Or it is the GP who has to do this?

Thanks in advance

If you’re being referred for nhs ivf/ac treatment then the GP will do it, or a gynaecologist/urologist if you’ve been referred to one, but you can also ask the fertility clinic to send your results to your GP with a covering letter. I’m assuming your fertility clinic is private in this scenario.

Thanks. It is abit confusing

I saw a gynaecologist privately. She advised for NHS fertility clinic referral for IVF/ ICSI but said I would need to get the Hycosy done first at the fertility clinic. We have PCOS and male factor.

I'm just wary that we are waiting for the Hycosy (which arguably doesn't change things because we have male factor so regardless of what it shows will need ICSI).

I thought the NHS fertility clinic would refer for IVF/ ICSI after the Hycosy but now I'm not sure if it would then fall back to the GP?

It would fall back to your GP. I’d get on with asking your GP to do your referral so after the HyCosy you’ll be a bit further along in case there’s a wait.

Thanks it's so confusing.
What is the point of the fertility clinic really then? - just to complete the tests.

I'm also confused as the private gynaecologist said I should get GP to refer to NHS fertility clinic with a view to have Hycosy and then ICSI. So I thought it would be the fertility clinic.
But assume you are saying GP because of the ICB funding?

Sorry for the stupid questions

It’s not stupid, it’s a confusing system! So if you are wanting to get any cycles on the NHS for free then you’ll need a GP referral.

The doctors will often refer you to the fertility clinic for tests because they are (sometimes) NHS and private clinics, so are the experts and have the functions to do further fertility tests and procedures. Same as if you needed an operation they’d send you off to the hospital department to sort it.

If you are going privately you can just pick the IVF clinic you want to use and get started with your baseline scans and tests. But if you want that free NHS cycle(s) then you need the GP referral.

And yes the GP would need to refer you for the HyCosy too unless you are willing to pay for it privately.