Are you receiving treatment at private clinics?

[Oneday53]

I am a new member and reading about everyone's journeys with interest and hope. I was recently referred to hospital for abnormal hormone levels. I haven't been able to get a GP appointment until next month (2 months after tests) to discuss my results - receptionist told me them - and although referral made in meantime I've been told not to expect an appointment for 8 months. My initial relief that things were starting to move is fading fast.

I'm interested to learn if most of you are seeking treatment privately?

My husband is nearly 40 so we are feeling the pressure of time very heavily.

Thank you.

[Hidden]

So sorry you have to wait. I think some people are seen quickly depending on their postcode. Where in the UK are you based?

Some NHS clinics also have longer or shorter queues depending on their rating (in London anyway).

If you can, I would go private and still stay on the NHS waiting list as a plan B x

[emu2016]

8 months! Whereabouts are you?! I think it’s worth trying to find out what the delay is and certainly seeing if you can be referred elsewhere too.

Our IVF failed first time and we ended up being referred to another hospital for discussions (which we would have to pay for treatment at as second round.

I’ve a friend who went private while waiting on a waiting list. They transferred her free attempt to a different region; to that same clinic even though waiting list was huge. As it was her little boy was born on the free cycle which in fact was her 4th. I’d find a private one and stay on nhs or have that moved to somewhere that doesn’t private and nhs.

[Hidden]

I think from our first tests to referral and actual treatment took about a year. That was after going to the dr initially and being told to try for another year. It is different in each area. Perhaps request a phone call with your dr for an explanation of the process and what yo expect when? That will give you more of an idea about whether to look privately for some tests. Xx

[Oneday53]

Thank you all for your advice. I will see if I can find out more about timings and makes some enquiries with private clinics too. Good to know NHS option can be kept as a back up - I wasn't sure. I'm in West Scotland. Thank you again x

[EmGLA in reply to Oneday53]

Hello

I’m receiving treatment in Glasgow at the Royal. I’m not sure if that would be where you are also referred to but the waiting list at the Royal is def not 8months. Feel free to message me if you need any advice etc.

Xx

[Oneday53 in reply to EmGLA]

Thanks Emma - I think my referral is to a local hospital rather than Glasgow Royal - but even that I don't actually know. I think I've been unlucky that my GP surgery is also overwhelmed so looking at 4 week wait for a 5 minute appt. Pleased with our decision to go private in the first instance just to see what we're dealing with and take it from there. Wishing you all the best x

[EmGLA in reply to Oneday53]

Hello

Best of luck in your journey!!!

xxx

[Vegemite]

Hello

First of all, not everyone can afford private, but if you can do it immediately.

I wasted three years with waste of time doctors and hospital appointments. Within two months of registration of private I’ve done an EC and awaiting FET.

The NHS literally was the most unhealthy process I have even met gone through. With all respect to the beautiful people that work within the system, the system is broken. I started at 37 and by the time my doctor got his act together, I was too old and missed out in my NHS trust area (all trusts are different within a National system -don’t ask). GP could never fit in blood tests, so had to use hospitals 13 miles away. Never got a discussion of results... it just never ended.

At a clinic you deal with people that do it every week, that’s their specialty. Results are within 4 hours for bloods and they discuss that day. They are helpful. Kind. Nurturing and can also offer counselling if your not coping.

I’m sorry but I went through hell, to the point my husband dragged me out of one appointment calling them inhumane and a disgrace. It’s a soft and quiet man, but wasn’t going to put me through another pointless 8 months.

I wish you well on your journey. It can get better. Believe and blessed be on your journey.

Xxx

[AnnieAnnie]

If you can go private then it is so much quicker. Bear in mind that if you wish to access your NHS eligible cycles (if you are eligible) there may be stipulations on how many private rounds you can have to still qualify for your NHS ones if you wish to use them (check your local CCG guidance). I was 28 when I was first referred on the NHS and I was 35 by the time I finished my 2nd free cycle with the NHS. It took a long time with various tests, appts, 3 clomid cycles, more tests, NOT being eligible for NHS funded cycles, going off and doing a private cycle, then back to NHS for more tests and doing 2 cycles and now back to clomid. Once I finally got the go ahead with the NHS it did progress quite quickly but it was all the tests before and waiting for 4 months at a time for the results to then go on to the next test and wait for 4 months for the results and follow up appt that took the time. Good luck with your decision xx

[HollyT7]

We are NHS funded and had 3 iuis (one cancelled) on the NHS and ivf on the NHS via a private clinic. I think that it all depends on where you are in the UK as to how quick it is and if you NHS hospital will do ivf or feel you to a private clinic. Our process has been pretty quick. We had our first appointment at the hospital in April, finished our last iui in Feb, had our private clinic apt in Feb and did our IVF end of April. The private clinic has such a different feel to the hospital, so caring and they have time for you, my mental state was better being with the private clinic xx

[Explorers10]

How much roughly are the private clinics? If you have had blood tests done at NHS GP, do you have to have them all again privately? I guess what is the initial process

[Oneday53]

Hi everyone, thank you for your comments. It's really helpful to hear about others experiences. We decided to explore going private and have already had our initial tests done. We're expecting results in a week and a consultation appt to discuss next steps the week after. I feel like a weight has been lifted now that things are moving, and know we are lucky to be able to do that.

Explorers 10 - the costs for the tests and consultation is about £500.

Thank you all x