Starting the route to IVF

[HB47]

Hi Guys 😊 hope all is well. I have endometriosis that i was diagnosed with last year and have been TTC for a year my gynae has told me to start fertility and go to a fertility centre to start treatment as he believes i am all good to go for NHS funding. He said he would send me a referral letter to take to a clinic when i book an appointment so there i go ringing different centres and they say that i need to speak to my CCG. Just wondering does everyone have to speak their CCGs to see if your viable for NHS treatment or did your gynae/GP/fertility centre do that for them? Just think its abit back to front. I hope this makes sense... im at the beginning of my journey and its like i am being told to go in different directions x

[Alexm06]

Hey! I guess it depends on where you are. I was seeing a gynaecologist at the hospital when he then referred me to a centre and they did everything for me. The gynaecologist does also work there though so not sure if that makes a difference. So yeah I would say it depends what clinic you attend as it also states on my clinics website that they apply for the funding for you. Hope this helps

[HB47 in reply to Alexm06]

Thank you 😊

[Orangeflowers]

In my experience GPs don't really understand the NHS referral route. I couldn't book an appointment with my clinic for NHS funded treatment until they'd received the GP referral letter or the GP had completed the form on the website. All GP tests have to be satisfied first (2 years of trying, BMI within range, clamidya test, sperm test, bloods - progesterone/ AMH) etc). I'd check with your chosen clinic and go back to your GP being explicit with what you need (this is in CCG and NICE guidance). Hope that helps and hope goes smoothly for you

[HB47 in reply to Orangeflowers]

Perfect thank you , i rang my GP surgery and obviously now you carnt see anyone face to face so just spoke to the receptionist and she said the same that the GPs dont have a clue! Lol ok so if i speak to my chosen clinic again saying what do they need, what would my GP need and then go to my GP saying this is what i need them to do. Also can i ask one more thing 🙏🏻... i always thought it was one year of TTC and my gynae said to go for IVF now after a year because of my endo... is it no question has to be two years for NHS funding?

[Orangeflowers in reply to HB47]

I think I recall 2 years been written in the CCG or NICE guidance. When I approached my GP at 39/40, she recommended I had no time to waste given my age and put in the referral and I'm sure this would be recommended given your endo. However, later down the line when they fill out the paperwork at the hospital - after all GP and hospital tests, they are incistant it has to be 2 yes to be eligible for funding. In practice the NHS route has taken me a long time, so it's easier than you might think to get to the 2 year + mark lol. I'm sure it might be different for you though as I've had miraculously appearing and disappearing polyps holding things up lol

[HB47 in reply to Orangeflowers]

Yeh from what im thinking itll end up being two years anyways lol ... its a proper minefield. It shouldnt be this difficult should it. Thank you so much for your help and its definitely helped me with a bit of a better direction . Im hoping its a smoothish one and not a battle! 🤞🏻 x