Under new NHS changes, can we now choose which hospital to go to for IVF treatment on the NHS?

[missjanemarple]

Previously we were only allowed to go to the hospital allocated by the PCT.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. I think that for the moment you will need to go to your GP and see which hospital/clinic you would be allocated to for treatment. We are currently updating our website infertilitynetworkuk.com to reflect the new CCG changes. We have got a list of letters already in place to request funding from your CCG. These can be found on the “NHS Funding” page. Scroll down to the bottom and you will see them ready to fill in and print off. Kind regards Diane

[missjanemarple in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you Diane. I will take a look. It's all very confusing, with little information anywhere so appreciate your swift response. Thanks again. Jane

[Noper]

Hi, I don't know if this applies in your area, but for us (East of England), about 18 months ago, we were first referred by GP to the local 'fertility clinic', which turned out to be a screening process at our local hospital,(which doesn't offer IVF). After seeing the fertility nurse etc and having initial blood tests and other checks, we were approved for NHS IVF and then were able to choose from about 5 options of IVF clinics (none very local, the nearest being about 25 miles away) and all offering NHS treatment. There was then a further initial appointment at our chosen clinic, which took another couple of months to come through.

For us, our area didn't provide NHS cover for one of the best hospitals in London, which we were disappoined about at first, but we were offered a few other reasonable choices, and am now pregnant, so something went okay. Good luck with your IVF journey.

[missjanemarple in reply to Noper]

Hi Noper. Ah big congratulations on being pregnant. That is excellent and is what all this palarver is about! Did you get pregnant on your first try of IVF?

Thanks for the info too. Your experience sounds very different to mine. I had no choice of hospital as my borough has a contract with only 1 IVF provider. I wondered if the new changes meant that we could choose the hospital. We are in London so there are quite a few.

Thanks again for getting back to me and best of luck with your pregnancy.

[Noper in reply to missjanemarple]

Hi,

Thanks for your sweet message.

Actually, this is our fourth attempt at IVF (3 fresh cycles, then one frozen, which is the one which has worked so far). We're lucky that our area funds 3 fresh and 3 frozen cycles - which is what NICE recommends, but most areas don't seem to do it. I think that's incredibly unfair for people in other areas.

Good luck with your journey.

[missjanemarple in reply to Noper]

Thank you.

Yes we only get one cycle so the chances of pregnancy aren't high but you have to stay optimistic and hope!

Best of luck with your pregnancy.

[helptoday]

I have recently created a website with some great links including an excellent site on IVF in Europe and England and the rules etc. !! read about this and more options open to you infertilityhelptoday.com - Good Luck!

[missjanemarple in reply to helptoday]

Hello helptoday. Thanks for this. I will take a look. Well done on collatinng information. There is little out there and with the government making so many changes it is hard to keep up. Thank you!

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. As you probably know, the “bag of money” for use with the NHS is now mostly controlled by GPs. Everything will now be put before a panel as to who, what and where procedures and operations are to be carried out. These will usually be within your local area, unless it is not available, when you would be sent to a hospital/clinic where it is available. Your GP is the person to ask about the new CCGs (Clinical Commissioning Groups) now, not your PCT (Primary Care Trust). All still very new, so hope you soon get sorted. Regards Diane

[missjanemarple in reply to DianeArnold]

Hi Diane. Thanks for clarrifying. Seems like more of a shift on to the GP than the PCTs. Will try there. Appreciate your message.