My path sounds similar.
GP referral to Fertility clinic was November 2024. After some to and fro to repeat tests, they accepted us December 2024 but the appointment was in June 2025.
In Feb 2025 we received a cancellation and it was rebooked for the following week.
There were a lot of re tests, scans and gaps between seeing the NHS nurse and consultant, but eventually we were referred to Care in April, who applied for funding. That was very quick. Care were very good and a nurse appointment was booked a week later, we then needed a scan and some more bloods.
First appointment with Care consultant was June 2025
I have found the constant inefficiency with weeks or in the NHS months between steps really stressful. Each time you see them it feels like there is ‘one more thing’ and then you can get started. In reality, the one more thing is a scan or a blood test that needs to be at a specific point in your cycle, then there is no appointment at the right time, or you’re just past that point and have to wait for the next month to book it. Care have been better, but I have still lost 2 months due to slow admin, appointment availability or pharmacy delivery. I did phone the NHS clinic to ask for an update on my test results after 2 weeks as I’d heard nothing, they had them, and she booked me in for the following week. I do wonder if they would have left it another few weeks before contacting me if I hadn't chased. That was a viral screen as part of the referral, not for diagnosis.
If you can afford private treatment I would, especially if you want to get started within a year. I thought it was worth waiting a month or two to save the money, but it will be a year soon and I’ve only just finished finished my first egg collection. Now waiting once again to see the consultant, then likely a nurse to plan the frozen transfer, I highly suspect this will fall just after my cycle restarts and so I will be waiting another month to get going with that.
To add: Our diagnosis is ‘unexplained’ so we have not had any investigations, just the first line checks and scans, all have been in the normal range so I think our experience has been quick by comparison to couples where they may need to investigate things further for you, I imagine it would be even longer if you need to have a HyCoSy or other investigation as part of your referral.