South Somerset NHS Refferal Wait Times

[2025TTC]

Hi,
First time posting....
My partner and I have been trying to concieve since Jan 2024, we finally plucked up the courage to see the GP in September. She refered us for the standard tests, bloods and US for me and SA for my partner which all came back completely normal, as frustrating as that is...
The doc phoned this morning to say she is refering us to the fertility clinic, I was hoping someone from our area would be able to advise on the waiting times for first appointment etc, the doc didnt even know which clinic is available as she doesnt use this service frequently, so my next question is does anyone know of which clinic she will be refering us to, we are based near shepton mallet if that helps.

I would just like to keep my straight as I will be overthinking this for days/weeks without a time frame to go by, just wanting to tamper down my expectations essentially.

Thank you xx

Hey! No advice but i’m around the same area!
I lost my 2nd tube in sept and the consultant referred me to care for ivf in bath ( peasedown) and i have a appt soon.
My friend lives in SM and had her nhs IVF from care so it maybe the same. The wouldn’t process her appt though until she had been TTC for 2 year so you may not be given one until jan time.
When i had my surgery he said i should hear between 8-12 weeks but maybe sooner as they put me as a priority as there’s no way i can get pregnant and i actually had a appt through within 2 days for early November.
It’s good you’ve had tests done as i’ve heard that speeds up the process for funding.
I think the criteria for funding for the area is age over 25, TTC for 2 years, non smoker/vaper, BMI under 30 ( women only) and no previous children. hope this helps xx

Hi,

Thank you for replying to my questions, I was expecting our GP to say she wouldnt refer us untill Jan but she said she is putting in the referal now as the wait can be a while, but like I said she didnt even know which clinic she is refering us to for the assessment. I keep checking the NHS app for updates but nothing so far... currently we have been given the temporary diagnosis of unexplained infertility untill the secondary care team can do further testing etc so I get the 2 year wait but every month we are disheartened by the negative tests. Ive tried to do lots of research online regarding which hospitals we could be reffered to but keep comming up blank as there isn't much in regards to fertility services in our area.

We already meet the criteria for the funding, im 32 nearly 33 and my partner is 45, we both have BMI's below 30, my partner is already quitting smoking and neither of us have children so i'm not worried about the funding however I am worried that the longer it takes the older I get.

xx

Yeah the wait is the most frustrating part!
have you looked into private? i had my private tests done at BRCM and they were amazing but it’s about £12k a cycle with them!
I’ve actually checked the nhs app where my referral is and it says 16 weeks is the average wait for fertility referral but i actually live in wiltshire not banes so maybe it’s longer in wiltshire. It’s so frustrating when you want answers! X

I’m 33 so feel the time bit! I’ve just read it started with an egg so have made some changes and ordered some vitamins to take x

@Readingiscool92 Just had the notification on the NHS app that I could pick my clinic, it only gave me one to choose which was Southmead Hospital General Fertility Clinic, so I guess we have to go with that but our first appointment is only 20 days away, 11th Nov, so I couldnt be happier right now, I know we still have a bit of a long road ahead of us, to get a proper diagnosis as the one we have is only temporary untill they complete further testing but finally feel like we are going to get some answers.
We have looked into private, and we will be doing that if for some reason we are not eligable for funding or our 1 NHS cycle doesnt work.
Good luck with your IVF app in Bath soon, please let me know how you get on with it. xxx

Aww that’s great! time will go fast though :)
My cousin was referred to them and she said they were lovely, you have all your tests and scans done then they refer you for the IVF to a clinic ( she was then referred to BRCM through the nhs for one cycle) but that was 5 years ago so may have changed!
Im glad the ball is rolling for you! i also think with the time of year and christmas things should go faster! i will do, sending you all the luck too! xx

hey how did your app go? we are waiting for my cycle to start and then can begin! x

Hi!! Yay, congratulations!!!
Yes our app went really well, the consultant was quite happy with our initial results from the GP, I had another ultrasound and she did an extra blood test to get my AMH levels, so we are waiting for that to come back, I have to have an HSG xray to check my tubes between days 5 and 10 of my next cycle which should be starting this weekend if not early next week. Our consultant said depending on the results of that, she will be putting in for funding and hopefully starting IVF in late January, early Feb. Thank you for remembering!! it feels so nice to have someone other than my partner to talk about all this with. xxx

yayy that’s great news! which clinic have you chosen?
It’s such a lonely process and i only like talking to others that are going through it xx

@Readingiscool92 We haven't chosen a clinic yet, she said she will put in for funding first then we will choose our clinic as it will be quicker to get the other tests out of the way whilst waiting for the funding, so once funding is approved we can go straight in for IVF treatment, than choosing a clinic then having to wait for funding and IVF treatment, but our NHS hospital has links with BCRM so we will probably go with them, from the research we have done we quite like the look of BCRM and we will be attending their next open evening to get a feel for the place. We still don't technically have a formal diagnosis untill my xray results come back and we have our follow up with the consultant in mid-late december. If my xray results come back and say there is nothing wrong with my tubes then we will be unexplained infertility, hence why she wants to put in for funding asap. Im not entirely sure how its all working but she assured us its the best course of action atm so i'll trust her.
Yea it can really be lonely, I know my partner is there for me but he's not a woman that has to go through all of these invasive tests and mood swings lol. At least on here lots of others know what your emotions and body are going through.

BCRM were great when we had our private testing and my cousin had a great experience. There’s a lady on tiktok called Yaz IVF pregnancy journey and she used them too. You never know the tube test may clear tubes and help! x

@Readingiscool92 Update!!!
I have just found out I am pregnant!! I have spoken with Southmead to cancel our upcomming appointments and they have offered to give me an early scan at 8weeks instead of signing me out of their care!! I am over the moon!! GL to you, please keep me updated with your journey xxx

Aww congrats! we’ve had our funding approved so now just waiting for my period then can start!
Fingers crossed everything goes ok for you 🤞🏻keep me posted! xx

how did your scan go? X