Do they prioritise IVF if you are older?

[susan_1981]

A girl at work only had to wait 8 weeks once she got on the waiting list for IVF. I was talking to her today about it (she lives near me so it's probably the same for me) but she said that maybe I'd have to wait longer as I'm only 28 and she's 34 or 35. Is that true or is it different depending on where you live?

 

[muncho]

yes its true, im 38 and dh is also 38, we have no kids.
we were told 2-6 months due to our age and the fact that we dont have any kids!
we will be goign private but will use this as a back up
the number of cycles you get also depend on where you live, i get 3 cycles

 

[susan_1981]

She said she was only entitled to one so that's not great I suppose. She said the hospital she was referred to was King's College which means, unless they give me Queen Mary's in Sidcup where I'm going for all my tests, that I'm likely to have to go there as well.

 

[Aphrodite]

Hm think I might have to disagree there-I'm 26 and we were told we can have the treatment 8 weeks from referral too. And we get 3 goes. I think its unfair really cause from being on this site, its fairly obvious that all our experiences differ depending on where we live. I think we've got lucky, but a lot of people dont and its not fair. There should be a nationwide standard for fertility treatment and waiting times, IMO.

 

[Manchester_Lu]

I don't think so I know most PCTs have a cut off of 39 but I don't think they discriminate in terms of the waiting list.

 

[Manchester_Lu]

yes its true, im 38 and dh is also 38, we have no kids.
we were told 2-6 months due to our age and the fact that we dont have any kids!
we will be goign private but will use this as a back up
the number of cycles you get also depend on where you live, i get 3 cycles

Just a brief word of warning, I can only speak for my own PCT but the number of 'free' IVF goes also takes into account any private treatment.

So if you're entitled to Two 'free' NHS IVF treatments and have gone privately for an IVF treatment then you will only be entitled to one NHS treatment and likewise if you have two privately then the NHS won't fund any.

 

[muncho]

hi yes it does take into account private..which is fair enough

re: waiting times , you get priority if you are older with no kids, howvever if you have majpr issues and you are younger then im sure you would get referred quicker.
i think in the uk the cut of is 39. ill be 39 in jan, maybe thats the other reason why ill get my appt quicker.
its the whole postcode lottery, which should not happen but unfortunately it does. I work with PCT's and they agree but its the government that set these criterea

 

[FBbaby]

Susan, that is definitely not the case. They might speed up a referral for a woman of 39 to get on the waiting list, but after that, age makes no difference at all. All Kent providers (you have a choice of three in West Kent if I recall properly) adhere to the 18 weeks wait. I am surprised about her going to Kings though and only have one go as this is not one of the normal choice for Kent residents, and also, you are now entitled to two goes. It could be that she is registered with a GP outside of Kent and therefore falls under London arrangement rather than Kent.

 

[Crypto1976]

Every pct has different rules. I think its misleading to generalise.

My pct doesnt prioritise in terms of age, and the cut off is 38, and private attempts dont count ( in fact the actively encourage you to have private attempts in the hope that you get pregnant while on the nhs list!)The wait is 2 years whatever age you are.....unless you donate eggs and you get seen in 3 mths.

Susan I would check exactly what the terms are in your area before going on the basis of the postcode lotteries. XXX

 

[beauty]

I mentioned this a few weeks ago, and dont think its fair wot so ever pushing others forward due to age, I mean im 28 soon and been trying for 16months and dont wanna be pushed back due to being referred to as young enough!!

I rang my PCT and they said once referred they try and meet target of 18 weeks to get you to IVF treatment. However they explained its a waiting list and no one is pushed forward due to age or fertility reasons etc!!
They said your put on list and when your name comes up its your turn, they did say older ladies might get referrred to a fertility specialist a good few months before someone younger due to the age, which they gives them a head start in fertility treatment i suppose but they do try and treat certain cases the same with the same process..

I think my PCT have 3 goes at ivf, however any private treatment is deducted off the nhs goes which i think is like alot of other PCT.

xx

 

[x_Rainbow_x]

I dont think they should. everyones needs is just as great as the other. i hate the way they play around with peoples lives over something so stupid as age...

 

[Bexy]

She said she was only entitled to one so that's not great I suppose. She said the hospital she was referred to was King's College which means, unless they give me Queen Mary's in Sidcup where I'm going for all my tests, that I'm likely to have to go there as well.

Hi Susan

Not sure whereabouts in Kent you are (I'm in Welling) however I was in the process of being referred (freakily got a BFP the month before appointment) and was told I would have all my initial tests + egg collection through Queen Mary's and then the actual egg transfer in another hospital - it might be worth doing some research on the other hospitals via www.hfea.gov.uk (this is what my FS suggested)

Hope all goes well with your treatment! FX for that

xxx

 

[Aphrodite]

The wait is 2 years whatever age you are.....unless you donate eggs and you get seen in 3 mths.

Sorry crypto, this is not true. Its another one of those things where it all depends. We were told 8 weeks. My friend got their initial SA results in Setember and had their BFN ( ) at the end of the following July-way under a year!

I think the lessons to be learned here are to discuss all matters with your FS as IT WILL DIFFER FROM AREA TO AREA.

I would try not to het upset over what happened to ur friend Susan as it could be different for you. Everyone has a different experience dependant upon where they live.

 

[Crypto1976]

The wait is 2 years whatever age you are.....unless you donate eggs and you get seen in 3 mths.

Sorry crypto, this is not true. Its another one of those things where it all depends. We were told 8 weeks. My friend got their initial SA results in Setember and had their BFN ( ) at the end of the following July-way under a year!

I think the lessons to be learned here are to discuss all matters with your FS as IT WILL DIFFER FROM AREA TO AREA.

I would try not to het upset over what happened to ur friend Susan as it could be different for you. Everyone has a different experience dependant upon where they live.

If you actually read my post I start by saying it varies by PCT!!!!!

How about reading the post in full before posting a cheeky response. I was saying what happened in my area and that it varied by PCT!!!!!

Why do you need to be so rude and condecending?

 

[beauty]

 

[beauty]

fdhzhhhhhhhhhhdddshr\sg

 

[beauty]

God wot is wrong with my PC!! Sorry ladies crashed system!!
Cant seem to delete!
x

 

[DragonMummy]

@Aphrodite - I think Crypto was using her PCT as an example of how they all differ -she did start what she was saying with "my pct..." and you're both right - they do all differ from area to area.

 

[Aphrodite]

Thank you DragonMummy, yes I now realise that.

Crypto-I just misread, thats all, my brain goes to mush at the time of the month. I dont feel I was being rude or condescending, just correcting what I thought was a mistake. Im sorry you feel so upset about it. I'm a bit shocked you responded to an innocent mistake with such venom.

 

[susan_1981]

Crypto, I don't think Aphrodite meant to be cheeky when she posted that. I also read your post as the wait list being 2 years.

Thanks for all your posts. And Bexy, I also live in Welling so hopefully I will get 2 attempts (well actually, hopefully I won't even need it!!!). The girl I work with told me that you only get one shot in her area but perhaps she got it wrong x