How long does it take to get an appointment with the FS

[obe]

Hello,

After blood tests, scans and a number of SA, the doctor is sending us on to a FS. The problem is on my OH side which we knew about and was expecting this to happen.
We havnt been given an appointment from the hospital yet and I just want to be given a date! I have heard it can take up to 4 months.
The doctor sent our refurrel at the beginning of June (which feels like years ago!)
How long does it take???

 

[Steph63]

Hey Obe, I think it varies alot depending on your NHS area, but here they have a waiting list target of 13 weeks for your first apt, although we were seen within 6 weeks....although follow-up apts have a 6-9 month waiting list!! I think this is quite common within the NHS, that you are initially seen quite quickly so that they can say they have met their waiting list targets, but then for me anyway things move quite slowly.

It may be worth asking at your first apt how long you have to wait for subsequent appointments, as I was very shocked at the difference!

Hope you don't have a long wait.

 

[Sambatiki]

Hi hun!

So sorry that you are in a position where you need to be referred

I think I was fairly lucky with my PCT and only waited 4 weeks... although felt like 4 years!

When in June was your letter sent?? Think my patient number and details came through in about 2 weeks.

Hope you dont have to wait for too long xx

 

[Sparkysgirl82]

Regardless of how long you are given for your first appointment, ask that you be placed on a waiting list in case an earlier appointment frees up. We did that - our first appointment was scheduled for July 30th... which was 13 weeks from when we first booked, but we were lucky that an appointment came free after only 4 weeks.

So keep the appointment you get, but ask to be placed in if a cancellation comes up

Hope it all goes well fr you!!!

 

[rachelle1975]

Hey hun

We were told that the GP would write a letter to the FS and that we should receive confirmation within 3 weeks. When we didn't i rang the clinic to chase it up - so i'd do that first if i were you. Some GPs say they will send the referral and it takes them weeks to pull their fingers out of their bottoms!!

After you get your letter they normally give you an appt within 3 months but tell the clinic you are happy to do last minute appts at a days notice... i said this and i appt went from a 12 week wait to a 4 week wait! yipee!!

It's a long old process but providing you remain positive and upbeat you will definitely get there chick. And changes to DH's diet and lifestyle can work wonders... our results are proof of that

 

[obe]

Or thats good news, thanks for everyones reply!
Do I ask at the doctors of do I phone the hospital to find this out?
Im just worried that we havnt even been given a date yet or even heard from the hospital.
I think the letter was sent the first week of June but the doctor did say it can take a few days before it is sent as it has to be written out by reception or whoever it is that types it up.
Im just sick of waiting, I only want to be given a date!
I will def ask for a cancellation though, thank you

 

[rachelle1975]

Contact your GP hun or do you know which FS it has been sent to? Normally if you look at the hospital for your PCT it will have options and one of those will be fertility services - it will tell you where your nearest FS NHS clinic is and then you could contact them directly - just say you wanted to confirm they had received the referral. Trust me, they are used to being harassed!!! xx

 

[obe]

Contact your GP hun or do you know which FS it has been sent to? Normally if you look at the hospital for your PCT it will have options and one of those will be fertility services - it will tell you where your nearest FS NHS clinic is and then you could contact them directly - just say you wanted to confirm they had received the referral. Trust me, they are used to being harassed!!! xx

Thanks Rachel, all I know is which hospital it has been sent to.
I am going on holiday at the weekend so I might leave it until when we get back. If I still havnt heard anything I will contact the hospital and see what they say.

 

[obe]

Well I took your advice and called the hospital this morning to confirm they had received our referral, and guess what - it had been missed!!!!
Just our luck! The hospital had receiced the letter from our doctor but somehow it wasnt put onto the system, plus it had my old address (I moved over 3 years ago) which didnt help.
So im glad I called! The lady was helpful though and said that she would try and get it all sorted as soon as possible so we wouldnt have to wait much longer, plus they have targets to hit with regards to waiting lists. If I hadnt of called it wouldnt of been picked up, so thanks for your help girls!!! I just wish id of called sooner!