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Infertility

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Hertfordshire NHS waiting times

5 replies

Anon263119 · 06/09/2024 20:32

Hi does anyone have recent experience of how long the Herts waitlist is please?

OP posts:
mountainhighhh · 08/09/2024 18:59

Anon263119 · 06/09/2024 20:32

Hi does anyone have recent experience of how long the Herts waitlist is please?

Also keen to know this too!

Limmers14 · 03/12/2024 23:28

Hi, did you ever get an answer to this?

mountainhighhh · 04/12/2024 17:10

Limmers14 · 03/12/2024 23:28

Hi, did you ever get an answer to this?

I've gone through the process so can probably assist! Fire away with any questions and I'll try answer them :)

Limmers14 · 04/12/2024 18:32

Hi @mountainhighhh oh amazing! Thanks!

I’m in St Albans. Been TTC for 18 months and have had fertility blood tests, ultrasound and semen analysis through the NHS. I luckily have Bupa through work and also started down that avenue where I had a private ultrasound and a laparoscopy. The GP said they wanted to wait until the results of the laparoscopy to decide what to do next but agreed it would be a referral to a fertility clinic.

How long was it from your GP referring you to being seen? When did you start IVF? Is it true you can only get one round on the NHS in Hertfordshire?

mountainhighhh · 04/12/2024 20:40

Limmers14 · 04/12/2024 18:32

Hi @mountainhighhh oh amazing! Thanks!

I’m in St Albans. Been TTC for 18 months and have had fertility blood tests, ultrasound and semen analysis through the NHS. I luckily have Bupa through work and also started down that avenue where I had a private ultrasound and a laparoscopy. The GP said they wanted to wait until the results of the laparoscopy to decide what to do next but agreed it would be a referral to a fertility clinic.

How long was it from your GP referring you to being seen? When did you start IVF? Is it true you can only get one round on the NHS in Hertfordshire?

So mine was also quite similar! Over 12 months trying and issues with periods most of my life but pushed away and gaslighted for over 10 years but finally said enoughs enough, had TV ultrasound and all bloods, partner semen analysis then doc had all things required to put through the fertility referral.

In the mean time after 2 months waiting and unbearable periods I also used my private healthcare and had MRI and lap, removed stage 4 endo in several places, discovered a tube was completely blocked and left ovary not working at all with no follicle. Mentally I was really struggling and called the Stevenage Lister fertility/gyno department to see what was going on, how much longer to wait etc and just broke down completely. I got the next appointment they had, for 4 months time (they are incredibly backlogged).

Docs are useless in what they need to do in this interim period and have no idea what goes on tbh, so when the NHS fertility appt does come through they will essentially send you home and book you in again (could be for in another 3 months!) if you don't have a second semen sample (from within last 2 months) and if your results are showing no reason for infertility they will also want to see urology investigation from the male side.

If you can have these things on that first appointment you get your funding very very quick and pick your clinic and off you go.

Otherwise after that first NHS fertility appointment it can be a lot of waiting for appointments and back and forth jumping hoops. Luckily the nurse at Lister gave us all the tips so could have all ducks in a line before hand for a speedy process.

There is only 1 chance in Herts which is sad, and to be honest the fertility clinic choices really aren't the best. Being closer to London than myself though hopefully you will have a few other options open to you!

Hope that makes sense, feel free to fire away with any other questions!

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