NHS Funding

[B1uberry]

We have received our letter for NHS funding for ICSI - however it states that 'you take up your funding within 3 months of the date of this letter', or we start the process again.

We have had one consult at the fertility hospital. We have a 2nd consult (which you can only book once funding has been approved) scheduled in 2 weeks - will this count as 'taking up our funding'? Or do we have to have started ICSI within 3 months?

We have some additional ongoing investigations through our GP & privately, and are just aware that we have one chance of fresh + frozen on the NHS, so we would like to be in the best possible place health-wise for it.

Thanks in advance x

[Rachiebabe]

Your clinic will be able to tell you what counts as 'taking up the funding.' For us it was the very first appointment with the clinic and our funding criteria was to have started a cycle of IVF within 6 months of that appointment. 'Started' meant for our particular protocol to have had a down regulation injection. My interpretation would be the that you would need to start an ICSI cycle within 3 months of the 2nd appointment you have in 2 weeks time.

[B1uberry in reply to Rachiebabe]

Thank you, appreciate you sharing your experience. I’ll try to get in touch with them to clarify

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Might be an idea to call the clinic where you will be getting your treatment for clarification on this issue Or get in touch with your local ICB directly and ask this question

Thinking of you

Janet-Partner

[B1uberry in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thank you, appreciate the advice

[GranolaHippo]

As above, ours counted it when we had first appt to begin first cycle, which was a telephone call with consultant ahead of all the consent stuff we do before getting drugs, being scanned and starting treatment.

Definitely worth checking for peace if mind but, I think, if you're telling your clinic you want to go ahead and you're doing the next steps that they set out, then you've taken it up.

[B1uberry]

Thanks everyone - checked in with the clinic and we just have to sign & return the paperwork within 3 months, then we just need to use the funding before I turn 40. Good to know there isn’t a 3 months timescale on us starting treatment - it feels like we’ve got a bit more breathing room now to get our health in the best place to give ourselves the best chance