IVF - NHS waiting list?

[kat08]

Hi all

Just wanted to do a quick poll of how long the IVF waiting list is in your area? I am thinking about whether I might need to start saving? I live in the South Manchester area and have just started treatment for PCOS. I know I have lots of tests to go through yet but I would like to be prepared.

Thanks

 

[maz]

I'm in Northern Ireland, and our waiting time last time I checked was around 13-16 months - and we only get one free cycle... It's going to be at least August before I get a letter of offer for treatment. We've been for one private cycle of IVF which sadly ended with an early MC, and we're now waiting to start our second cycle.

NHS sucks!!

 

[kat08]

Doesn't it just - so sorry to hear about your m/c.

Do you know if there is certain criteria for the waiting list or if there are certain levels ie if you have X condition you go further up on wait list?

 

[maz]

As far as I know, there's only one list. Whether you've endo, PCOS, poor sperm, or are unexplained, the waiting time is the same.

 

[CurlySue]

As far as I know, there's only one list. Whether you've endo, PCOS, poor sperm, or are unexplained, the waiting time is the same.

This is true, indeed, but these things are actually important as to when you actually get ON the list. For example, if you have no fertility problems diagnosed after investigations and you have only been trying for, say, 12 months, they will not put you onto an IVF waiting list until you have been trying for 24 months or, in some places, 36 months.

If you are diagnosed with endo, PCOS, sperm problems, etc, and if you have tried something like Clomid or IUI with no success then you can bypass their time rules.

The waiting lists depend on your area. Our waiting list is only three months long at present.

 

[Helen_26]

I'm in South Wales and once you have been approved for IVF there is a minimum 12month wait for treatment.

 

[maz]

This is true, indeed, but these things are actually important as to when you actually get ON the list. For example, if you have no fertility problems diagnosed after investigations and you have only been trying for, say, 12 months, they will not put you onto an IVF waiting list until you have been trying for 24 months or, in some places, 36 months.

If you are diagnosed with endo, PCOS, sperm problems, etc, and if you have tried something like Clomid or IUI with no success then you can bypass their time rules.

The waiting lists depend on your area. Our waiting list is only three months long at present.

I agree with this. I stupidly thought after a year that if we just took a break and forgot about temping, OPKs, etc, that it would happen for us naturally. Needless to say it didn't. I don't know if I was scared that something would be wrong or scared about the investigations, but I definitely put it all off. But once we got going it took us 9 months from GP referral, to have all tests done, and receive confirmation that we were on the waiting list for IVF. Pity our waiting time is 13+ months ...

 

[Helen]

Waiting time in our area was 3 years. We went on the IVF NHS waiting list when we started our private treatment 2 and a half years ago...not heard a thing about it.

I have a document (admittedly from 2005) which shows different PCTs and waiting times. If anyone wants a copy, PM me your email address and I'll send it to you.

H

xx

 

[kat08]

Hi Ladies

Thanks so much for your advice. It looks like it varies a lot between areas. I have PCOS and am currently on Metformin. Also having tubes tested and husband having tests too so perhaps move onto Clomid if Metforming doesn't work? Think I will start saving for IVF though in case Metformin/Clomid doesn't work.

 

[rachelle1975]

Hey Kat

I come under Kingston upon Thames PCT in Surrey and there is no wait for us for IVF treatment. Treatment will be within 6 months of seeing a consultant. Having said that - at our ACU, it covers surrey and london and the london part has a 2 year wait (although treatment tends to be in 12 months). We were told that it's the lack of staff that causes the delay.

A girl at my ACU started her 1st IVF cycle 4 months after she saw her consultant so that's not too bad. Hopefully, we will start our first cycle in June - want to get in before they change the number of ET from 2 to 1!! xx

 

[x_Rainbow_x]

From what i no the genral list is reaching 18 months atm... im not sure as im on a diffrent kind of IVF list with a specilist clinic.. from what i understand once youv applyed and your case goes threw ul be told an estimated waiting time.. thats how my list goes anyway.

 

[roobie74]

Hi. I am in Liverpool and the current wait is 1-2 months. I went on the list on 31st December and have my first appt 5th Feb. I have been seeing the consultants for 2 years, however I took 7 months out to lose weight ( I had to otherwise they wouldn't put me on the list). Before that we had 9 months of clomid. Liverpool PCT give you two free cycles of IVF at the moment. Also if you have an embryos left to freeze they will do two cycles with them aswell. All in all our treatment has progressed quite quickly. Although am now terrified about starting the treatment !!!! Hope this helps x

 

[TrixieLox]

This is really interesting. I think it's a year in the Bucks area. Me and hubby have already discussed we'll go private if we have to wait that long, maybe go abroad. We've been saving for a few months for quite a while for when we have a baby but seeing as we're - hmmmm, a YEAR off track - I think we can use some of that dosh for private treatment IF we need it (setting ourself deadline of end of this year then we get the ball rolling). Costs about 3.5k for 4 rounds, less if abroad from what I hear. x

 

[maz]

This is really interesting. I think it's a year in the Bucks area. Me and hubby have already discussed we'll go private if we have to wait that long, maybe go abroad. We've been saving for a few months for quite a while for when we have a baby but seeing as we're - hmmmm, a YEAR off track - I think we can use some of that dosh for private treatment IF we need it (setting ourself deadline of end of this year then we get the ball rolling). Costs about 3.5k for 4 rounds, less if abroad from what I hear. x

Wow - which clinic is that for? We paid just over 4k for 1 round. Seeing as we need to go again due to our early MC, if we can get treatment loads cheaper by going to England, then I'm defo in!!

 

[Dilek]

Hi

I live in Central London and the current waiting list is 6 months, with 3 free IVF treatments. However I was able to skip the list due to my serious condition. We are seeing the nurses on 21st of April. Until then, I am on 4 months of Zoladex injections to control my endometriosis. So I think definately depending on your circumstances you can be seen earlier. Just thought to share my case.

 

[wannabmum]

We In Falkirk just reachin top of waiting list March been on 2 years in feb

xxx

 

[Kirstin]

2 years here!

 

[snowgirl]

I live in Nottingham and had IVF in May 2008. I can't say for sure how long this areas list is because there was a cock up and I was never actually put on the list, but here is my timescale:

March 2007 - Laparoscopy diagnosed my only fallopian tube blocked & consultant said he would put me on the IVF waiting list.

October 2007 - Rang to chase up appointment & discovered I wasn't on the list. Consultant apologised and said he'd try and rush me through.

December 2007 - Got NHS funding

January 2008 - Appointment at private clinic and told ok to proceed as soon as the clinic had NHS funding confirmation in writing

March 2008 - Chased again & found that the private clinic was still waiting for confirmation. Then discovered NHS were still waiting for letter from private clinic confirming they could treat me. Stupid, stupid excuses from both sides & more apologies.

May 2008 - Began Long Protocol for IVF.

So apart from all the cock up's I suppose I could have started a lot sooner. Just highlights the fact that you can be forgotten about if you don't pester them. I didn't because I felt grateful to even be able to get funding, but had I been ringing a lot sooner than I did, would have discovered they had forgotten about me twice.

In the end though I got pregnant on my first IVF cycle and am nearly due to have my twins so I am very happy

Good luck to all who are waiting to try

 

[kat08]

Good luck with your twins!

 

[danni0509]

i had an ectopic pregnancy when i was 18 and lost one of my fallopian tubes since then i have failed to conceive full stop. i have had every fertility test under the sun and i have been on fertility medication for over 6 months which still didnt help and i have been seeing a fertility specialist for over 3 years and i have been told i cannot have ivf on the nhs as i am under the age of 23 which i think is total utter rubbish why should age matter?? i definatly meet the criteria for ivf and if your old enough to have a baby at 16 why the hell can i not have ivf to have a baby i am not an immature teen mum wannabe (not all teen mums are immature by the way) i am a grown up married woman so basically i either wait till im 23 and then go on a 2yr waiting list or pay private which is approx 3000 a time!!! why do these people charge so much money you would think they would take pityy on us women thtat want a baby so badly wouldnt you?? im not saying that i wouldnt pay this amount because any amount is worth the gift of a child i am just saying that it is very expensive any way ladies i hope you all get bfp very soon take care xxx