NHS vs Private

[elsie15]

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone can help? My partner and I have been waiting over 12 months since being referred for IVF due to being unable to obtain motile sperm to freeze. It’s getting to the point where I feel this is never going to happen. He is a lot older than I am and time really is of the essence.

Our last bit of hope is surgical specialist retrieval but with all this Covid happening, I really don’t think it’s going to anytime soon, and I worry the longer we wait, the more it’s not going to happen. Therefore, we have been thinking of going private for the SSR then having the funding for the actual ICSI. I don’t know whether this is an option yet until I speak to the consultant but wanted to ask to see if anyone knows whether this is possible?

Thanks in advance. Your comments keep me going xx

[Runaims]

So sorry you're having to wait no thanks to Covid-19! Fertility opened up a few months ago under NHS, have they given you any update?

I had this discussion about a year ago as we thought there was an issue with my husband. To get the retrieval via private and ICSI with NHS and apparently that wasn't an option. However, each area has different rules / budget so definitely have this conversation with your fertility specialist or GP. Xx

[elsie15 in reply to Runaims]

Yes- I can imagine they won’t allow you to mix. I hate that we have to wait cause of Covid on top of the normal waiting times too 😩😩 xxx

[Runaims in reply to elsie15]

Fingers crossed for you. Also have a look around to see if there are any hospitals local that may allow combination or have quicker wait times. You can always switch so long as it's still in your area Xx

[Ivfgotadream]

I don’t think you can mix and match this way unfortunately - it would depend also how old you are? If you are close to the cut off for your age for NHS IVF anyway you may just want to go private for the whole treatment?

[elsie15 in reply to Ivfgotadream]

I’m 31 but it’s my partner who is a bit older than me. I just don’t know how much the whole treatment will cost xx

[ToughCOOKIE78]

Hi Elsie, sorry to hear you’ve been waiting for so long! The NHS is quite behind especially with Covid so if you can financially afford it I would suggest you go privately- like, right now! And it may be that you’ll have your first IVF cycle in 3 months or so good luck xxxx

[elsie15 in reply to ToughCOOKIE78]

It’s just such a shame because we signed all the paperwork to start but couldn’t get any motile sperm 😢😢 xxxx

[Orla9298]

I would have thought that going privately for the SSR might help speed up... it might be hard to combine private sperm with nhs treatment though. I know where I did my nhs rounds they also do private treatment, so I think that would have been possible - but if your nhs clinic that doesn’t do private it might be complicated

[elsie15 in reply to Orla9298]

Yes- I think we’re going to have that issue combining the two. I don’t think this will be an option xx

[Italy300618]

When we did ssr on the nhs, we had to wait 3 months after consultation, however this was before covid. With going private it was the following month, I think if it was me and you can afford to I would go private as I'm not sure how far down the list the nhs will be now. It's so frustrating I know 😔 xx

[elsie15 in reply to Italy300618]

I know- it’s just a rubbish situation and really cannot see a bright light at the end xxx

[Knittingababy]

Hi Elsie, I am not an expert on NHS stuff but I waited so long for just basic tests I did think I wish I had gone private at the time....it depends on your individual circumstances but it might be worth doing the research for the clinic you want just in case NHS waiting time period is too long for you. Wishing you all the best xx

[elsie15 in reply to Knittingababy]

Thank you so much! It’s much appreciated xxx