How many NHS cycles are you entitled to? - Fertility Network UK

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How many NHS cycles are you entitled to?

lauren3189 profile image
47 Replies

So after assuming i would be entitled to 3 NHS cycles based on what we have previously been told, i am now concerned it is only 2. I have been trying to find some information on this.

Who tells you what you are entitled to? Is it something your consultant would know? x

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lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189
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47 Replies
Hope85 profile image
Hope85

Hey!! If you go on the fertility fairness website there is a spreadsheet that tells you what you get in your area xx

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to Hope85

Thank you :-) Do you have to apply yourself or does the hospital do it on your behalf? xx

Your clinic should tell you but it is subject to change at any point. I was originally entitled to three two months ago but it's currently changing to one or two x

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to

oh gosh this is crazy xx

in reply to lauren3189

You'll be so much better informed once you've had your consultation. There's a lot of information discussed so hopefully you'll have a plan after that. Good luck xx

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to

Thank you

Does this mean you are entitled to 3 or now 2/1 xx

in reply to lauren3189

Not sure yet. It hasn't officially been changed but the nurse said it's about to. I'm hoping I at least get another cycle free. We're just in the 2ww wait on our first and I'm 40 in march which is when our funding stops so I'd probably never fit three in anyway if needed x

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to

I feel quite stressed about it all now. I really hope it works for you :-) xx

in reply to lauren3189

Me too! It's a stressful process I'm afraid but you just have to try and be positive and stay stress free. Make a list of questions you want to ask as I always forget when I get there! X

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to

Do the hospital apply for the funding on your behalf or do you have to do this?

Would the consultant advise us at the time what we are entitled to? xx

in reply to lauren3189

Mine applied on my behalf. There was no waiting for a decision either as they knew what the criteria was to be eligible so mine all moved very quickly. They should tell you from the start what you're entitled to at that point in time. Every clinic is different so I can only tell you how it was for me. I had also had numerous tests, examinations and operations prior to our ivf consultation so that may have sped my process up x

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to

it really is a lot to take in, i hope we find out this information too x

in reply to lauren3189

I've just looked and my ccg have cut the number of cycles from 3 to 1 this month so we have now had our only funded cycle. Its heart breaking how quickly it can change and there is nothing you can do. You can't take the number you get for granted as it can change so easily. I pray this round is successful x

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to

i really hope yours is successful too and i am sending you lots of luck. I agree, it is so sad that they do it without some warning xx

HannahTramaseur profile image
HannahTramaseurPartnerFertility Network UK

Hi lauren3189,

If you want to give me a call on 01424 732361 I can find this information out for you. It depends on your Clinical Commissioning Group which is determined by your GP's postcode.

Best wishes,

Hannah

hannah@fertilitynetworkuk.org

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to HannahTramaseur

Hi Hannah,

I have emailed you thanks

Tugsgirl profile image
Tugsgirl

We get one. Our ccg classes that as one fresh round and any resulting embryos frozen from that round. However our clinic charged us for our first fet even though we quearied them, they insisted that our funding only covered our fresh round. After much communication backwards and forwards between the ccg, the clinic and myself it has all been cleared up (I hope!) and we have been reimbursed our fet. We're just starting our next fet so hopefully there are no more issues with funding! Your local ccg will have all the information you need xx

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to Tugsgirl

Thank you it is all really confusing. Did you have to apply yourselves or did your hospital do it on your behalf?

xx

Tugsgirl profile image
Tugsgirl in reply to lauren3189

My gynaecologist at the hospital did. We were told it would be a 6-8 week decision but in the end it was more like 4 months I think xx

E_05 profile image
E_05

Hi, I was told I could have up to 6 cycles (max 3 fresh) so as my 1st fresh cycle resulted in frozen embryos, my 2nd & 3rd were FET. I think it all comes down to the clinic cause some clinics would count my frozen cycles still as part of my 1st cycle. I had numerous investigations and tried clomid before starting IVF but know I'm very lucky with the amount of cycles I get. It's awful that it comes down to a postcode lottery x

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to E_05

aww wow, Did you have to apply for thr funding or did the hospital do it for you?

Do you think they will tell us at the consultation if we can have funding?

x

E_05 profile image
E_05 in reply to lauren3189

My clinic did it all for me, yeah at my first consultation regarding IVF I was told but like i say I don't know if that's cause of the previous tests I'd had, my consultant said there wasn't anything else I could try. When is your apt? X

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to E_05

Thursday, we have had all the tests done so i guess we will know. I am slightly worried now that we have less cycles than i thought, xx

E_05 profile image
E_05 in reply to lauren3189

Have you been told how many you should be getting then? The days leading up to the apt are always the worst cause you find yourself trying to second guess what they'll say.

Sorry I meant to put I'd had previous treatment not tests so I'd got to know my consultant quite well. Hopefully though with you having all the tests done they'll be able to let you know xx

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to E_05

I see :-)

This is our proper consultation but i will definately ask about funding. I can't imagine being able to pay privately if not :-( xx

E_05 profile image
E_05 in reply to lauren3189

I can't imagine if you 'meet the criteria' like BMI, age, neither of you have any previous children etc why you wouldn't be entitled to any on the NHS just the amount seems to differ massively depending on where you live xx

Mrsgled1982 profile image
Mrsgled1982

We had one cycle on the NHS. My sister in law who lives 20 mins away from me doesn't qualify for any on the NHS. I think it's unfair how it's worked out. All couples should be treat the same. Either have the 3 as stated in the NICE guidelines or divided up between the ccg's fairly.

Infertility is such an emotive thing and couples will pay to achieve there dreams.

Blondyboo profile image
Blondyboo

Our postcode is now 1 cycle (it was 2 and we are currently on waiting list for donor eggs for our second go) We filled out forms at our consultation and then the clinic send them off for you to get funding agreed. It was quite a quick process for us - Bristol x

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to Blondyboo

Thanks hun, do they write directly to you or the hospital?

Also i just googled the price of medication it seems so expensive xx

Blondyboo profile image
Blondyboo

I think we got a letter in the post confirming funding? they pay for medication along with treatment? privetly however is another ball game! (im having treatment abroad as fed up with waiting for NHS donor egg cycle) much cheaper!

robbie03 profile image
robbie03

We were referred in April and told it was only 1 cycle. And just had a letter through to say this cycle isn't funded....we are appealing but all IVF funding is a problem at the moment. Good luck with yours! Xx

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to robbie03

oh no sorry to hear that. Where are you based.

have you started any procedures yet? x

robbie03 profile image
robbie03 in reply to lauren3189

Hertfordshire although our hospital is Bedfordshire and IVF is cambridge. Had IUI privately yesterday as we were allowed to do that while waiting for IVF referral and NHS in our area won't fund that and felt it was worth a try. depending on the outcome we have a battle and appeal for IVF funding or to find the money to go ahead ourselves. Shame it's happened when it feels this journey can be tough enough at times! Xxx

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to robbie03

best of luck xx

robbie03 profile image
robbie03 in reply to lauren3189

Thank you 😘 xx

katya38 profile image
katya38

It can also depend on the results of your first cycle. I only got 1 egg in my first and only cycle so wasn't offered a 2nd. If u get less than 3 eggs said you don't get second go. I could have had another cycle if I'd used donor eggs but we had to provide our own. That was something we didn't realise until we started our cycle xx

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to katya38

there is so much involved isn't there. Where are you on your journey now?xx

katya38 profile image
katya38 in reply to lauren3189

Yes and they don't always give u all the information. We re now in the adoption process as I didn't want to do donor eggs. X

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to katya38

aww lovely i think i would go down that route.

Has it been a difficult journey? I guess there is lots more waiting around involved with that xx

katya38 profile image
katya38 in reply to lauren3189

There is a lot of waiting around but not that bad. Found out in Nov we d need donor eggs from consultant, had an adoption phone interview nov, initial visit dec got accepted there and then, training Feb then a long wait to get social worker. Now doing our home study panel prob dec xx

katya38 profile image
katya38 in reply to katya38

Ps I'm scotland so don't know if that's the same for England x

Shannon1400 profile image
Shannon1400

Your application is submitted by the hospital to the hospital group. They look to see your age and area you live. They look to see if you ot your partner have any children in this relationship or previous. You will then get a letter back saying how many cycles you get. They also only give you a 6 month window to use up the funding allocates to the hospital for treatment. We r 25 no other children and live I the Midlands. We are entitled to 1 round of ivf only.

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to Shannon1400

thank you

do you have to wait for the letter before any more appointments?

Did your letter come through quickly? x

Shannon1400 profile image
Shannon1400 in reply to lauren3189

Yes I had to wait there is a delay with nhs ivf treatment funding at the moment. I went for my initial consultation in November 16 went to the hospital in January where they check ur weight and ask you for an uo to date blood test and ultrasound. I then went for a mandatory group briefing in march and now have my consent signing and treatment plan appointment tomorrow. Let me know if you have any further questions xx

lauren3189 profile image
lauren3189 in reply to Shannon1400

good luck for tomorrow i bet you are eager to start now x

Shannon1400 profile image
Shannon1400 in reply to lauren3189

Thank you lauren. Yes very mixed emotions really as so much is resting on this 1 nhs ivf round. I want this so badly. Really not sure how I'm going to deal with a negative result x

Veekay80 profile image
Veekay80

Hi Lauren, im with Leicester Fertility Clinic and I got 3 NHS funded rounds of IUI (all failed) and 1 round of IVF (just starting) .

If i fail this round using all my eggs i will have to go private. Fingers crossed for everyone x

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