No NHS funding in area.

[mythyroidlife]

Hi Fertility Network UK.

I posted on here a while ago about a bad result in sperm test. Anyway after all this time I finally got to see my doctor today. Basically he told us that there is no NHS funding in our area and if we wanted IVF we would have to go private.. naturally my wife is upset to hear this and I am trying my best to comfort her. Unfortunately we do not have that kind of money just lying around.

I’m just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them and what did they do next.

Thank you all for your time

[Hidden]

I am so sorry to read this. I have never heard of an area having no funding at all. Did they say anything about what else to try? Sometimes it's the criteria that they mean rather than that there is no funding at all. Perhaps ask your dr again about this. Xx

[Poppy_2018]

Hi,

Unfortunately we were in a very similar position last year as our ccg suspended all ivf funding. Our only option was to go privately or move to an area where they offer funding - that obviously isn't an easy option and often when you move they restrict funding until you've lived in that area for a certain length of time (often 1 year). We were fortunate enough to be able to go privately but took out an access package to make it more affordable.

I do hope you manage to continue with your ivf journey and sorry you are having to deal with that complete and utter unfairness of the postcode lottery!

[MontsJ]

I’m in Essex, which is also has no NHS funding for any assisted reproduction. There are a lot of people who are in the same position. Going to Europe is a lot cheaper so you should consider this. I have read stories of people setting up gofundme pages to try and raise the money needed, and here is a lady on one of the Facebook groups I am in who is trying to raise money to help another couple gofundme.com/f/ivf-for-some...

We are lucky enough to have some savings that would have gone towards our first house to find our first cycle. Luckily I knew before I even went to the doctor that we would get no funding in our county. The irony was we moved here 18 months ago and waited until we moved to start trying for a baby 😔

All the best for everything ahead of you.

[Dream76]

Ask them to give you in writing that they do not have any funding.

Or changing your GP might help.

[Mycatsaremykids]

Are you in England. There is a list of what should be available in each area on this website: fertilityfairness.co.uk/nhs...

This will help to confirm if you are getting the right advice. It is so unfair that some areas aren’t offered any rounds.

[Solly-44]

I’m sorry - the funding system is seriously unfair. Unfortunately I don’t think changing GP wouldn’t help because it’s based on the CCG you’re in.

Obviously it’s a very personal decision but if you were open to egg donation costs are considerably lower.

I looked into this and couldn’t because I was too old (your wife would need to be under 35 and fit various other criteria) but the price difference in one clinic I looked at was £12,000 vs £500.

As someone else mentioned treatment abroad can also be a lot cheaper and from what I’ve heard the quality of care sounds amazing.

There are also various funding options including refundable packages if not successful although I think you need to find the money upfront ☹️

Good luck, I really hope you find a solution but you shouldn’t have to. The whole NHS/private funding system makes me really angry.

[crisps88]

Sorry to read this, it’s so cruel and unfair this postcode lottery and everyone should be given the best shot. I don’t know of any NHS PCTs that do not offer any but I am not an expert on any of the funding. Maybe write to your local MP? Did your GP give any further guidance or guidelines for you to work upon eg what to do next and where further help was available. Sorry to hear this you’re going through enough h. Xx

[Hidden]

I really feel sorry to read your post. Truly fertility treatment is a post-code lottery.