Clinics reopening: Hi ladies, I hope... - Fertility Network UK

Fertility Network UK

53,962 members58,533 posts

Clinics reopening

Millbanks profile image
18 Replies

Hi ladies,

I hope you are all safe and well during this strange time. I'm sure so many of you have had cycles cancelled (myself included) and are struggling with what is coming next.

I wanted to ask if anyone had heard of any London clinics (private or NHS) reopening soon?

We have 2 frozen embryos with the NHS but if they are not reopening until the end of the year I want to start planning for possible private options..

xxx

Written by
Millbanks profile image
Millbanks
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
18 Replies
Kurstx profile image
Kurstx

Hi sorry I can’t answer your question. I’m also wondering the same as I have 2 frozen embryos with nhs and would consider paying if nhs patients aren’t going to be seen for a while. It’s a horrible time for everyone 😢 hope your well as can be and stay safe xx

Bistbee profile image
Bistbee

We’re at a private clinic in London and had a follow up appointment with them last week to review our last failed cycle. They’ve said until the HFEA relax the restrictions on treatment they will not be allowed to do anything. It maybe the case they will first be allowed to do pre-screening and other procedures, possible stims but that having transfers done may still be restricted for a while longer depending on medical advice. The private clinics will be able to get back up and running quicker than nhs ones I would imagine but it will depend on staffing (a lot have been helping out local hospitals understandably) and rules around social distancing given how invasive the procedures are. It’s really going to depend on HFEA and general medical guidance as to when cycles can start again. I seriously doubt even private clinics will be open before the summer is my thinking. Worse case I’m not expecting for us to be able to do another round this year (but maybe that’s just me being very pessimistic!). It’s totally shot. They’ll also have a backlog and I’m not sure whether they’ll be prioritising those people who were mid cycle when they had to cancel, or those who are a bit older/have low amh issues given that time might be getting critical for those patients. Who knows...

Countrymouse56 profile image
Countrymouse56 in reply to Bistbee

This is a great post Bistbee. I have been meaning to write a similar one myself. The HFEA website is the best place to check any news on clinics re opening. They update their site every few days it seems. Xx

DianeArnold profile image
DianeArnoldPartnerNurseFertility Network UK

Hi Millbanks. Not heard anything yet. Keep an on on hfea.gov.uk and our website fertilitynetworkuk.org for any news. Diane

Millbanks profile image
Millbanks

thanks all :) xx

This is the latest from HFEA, as of today:

Restarting treatment

We are actively considering how best we can vary or revoke GD0014 to enable treatment to resume. The Authority met on Tuesday this week to consider the criteria against which any decision to resume fertility treatment should be made.

The Authority agreed that at this point in time, four criteria are particularly critical in any such decision:

that Government restrictions on social contact and travel are lifted or eased

that restarting fertility treatment would not have a negative impact on the NHS

that there was no evidence that Covid-19 impacted on the health of pregnant women or their babies

that fertility clinics are able to provide a safe service.

We now need to resolve the indicators or milestones that we shall use to assess progress against each criterion. We will be speaking to the UK Government and the devolved Governments, the NHS leadership, the professional societies (BFS/ARCS, RCOG), and licensed fertility clinics.

We also want to take this opportunity to remind clinics of their continuing responsibilities to their current patients, who may wish to have advice and counselling at this stressful time.

Our aim is for a safe and orderly restart of the sector where as many patients as possible can resume treatment as soon as possible.

hfea.gov.uk/treatments/covi...

xx

Millbanks profile image
Millbanks

That’s great. Thanks for posting 👍🏼 Fingers crossed hey! Xxx

Shirazlover2013 profile image
Shirazlover2013

I was going to post a massive moan but I won’t bother as it doesn’t help anyone, just going to say hurry up coronavirus and go away so we can move on with our lives!!

Peony85 profile image
Peony85

ESHRE has just posted some fairly detailed recommendations but of course defer to local guidance. Hope that the HFEA gets their stuff together soon.

eshre.eu/-/media/sitecore-f...

Millbanks profile image
Millbanks

Me too! Thanks for the info xx

starship100 profile image
starship100

Am with a private clinic , they are also closed till further notice hun ..

LA-B-19 profile image
LA-B-19

My clinic updated us this week saying they were hoping to open in June/July. They are planning lots of new safety measures but ultimately need the HFEA to give the green light.

Millbanks profile image
Millbanks in reply to LA-B-19

That sounds positive- is that a private clinic? Xx

LA-B-19 profile image
LA-B-19 in reply to Millbanks

They do both x

My clinic are planning to reopen in June but they are in the Czech Republic so will only be able to get back there when the flights get back up and running, I know its a very anxious time for us all xx

Millbanks profile image
Millbanks

It is indeed. Fingers crossed for us all xxx

recidwen profile image
recidwen

Hey! I called my NHS clinic to see if they at least had a plan for reopening, for instance for the waitlist would be organised. They had no plans they said, except that they would prioritise older patients over younger patients no matter where they had been in their cycle. Xxx

CakeIsTheAnswer profile image
CakeIsTheAnswer

Sorry I can’t help with your actual question but are you sure they aren’t opening until the end of the year for FET? My clinic told me they are waiting for the HFEA guidance and that probably won’t be released until lockdown starts lifting elsewhere too.

You may also like...

Clinic update on re-opening

my clinic (private in London) is working towards reopening with contingency plans, which includes...

Private clinic before nhs?

question, I just wanted to know if I have fertility treatments in a private clinic, do I still have...

Clinic

Hey all Just want to see if anyone is using guys hospital for private treatment at all? Any...

Fertility clinic refused

see the fertility clinic soon. They have said I have no other option but to seek private health...

Consulting at a private clinic while waiting for NHS

I don't want to be rejected by the NHS clinic or interfere with the process by going private. Does