NHS refused funding for our IVF...

[tickledpink]

We received the news this morning that 'unfortunately' on the info provided we are 'not eligible for funding on the NHS for assisted conception'. I'm absolutely gutted. We've gone through three years of tests, scans, ultrasounds, being injected with dyes and hubby even had an operation but it took them just 4 days to respond to our IVF referral to say no. They haven't told us why and I can't see my Doctor until Wednesday to find out. It's absolutely soul destroying and can't stop crying... I can't help wondering what possible reason they will give for refusing us

 

[FEDup1981]

Try not to lose hope hun, keep fighting xxx

 

[babyloulou]

I'm so sorry xxx

Do you smoke? drink? high BMI? already have a child? They are the only ones I can think of!

 

[tickledpink]

I'm so sorry xxx

Do you smoke? drink? high BMI? already have a child? They are the only ones I can think of!

I gave up smoking over 5 years ago. I don't drink, teetotal and we have no children... My BMI was 33 but I was told I had to get it below 30 in order to qualify for IVF. I did the Lighter Life diet last March and have gone from 33 to 24. I really don't understand why they said no I'm 36 and hubby is 40 but surely if it was an age thing, then the referral wouldn't have got that far. Another thing I don't understand, we live in Buckinghamshire but the refusal letter came from Hamsphire PCT in Southampton

 

[babyloulou]

That does seem very strange!! They don't send them to two neighbouring PCTs to they? As in- are you on the border or anything? Just wondering whether you might get a no from them and a yes from someone else??? You certainly need to chase it up- i can't see why you would be turned down!?

 

[tickledpink]

We're 100 miles north of London and Southampton is down on the coast, almost 200 miles away. I would've thought other counties would've been first choice to deal with our referral... total mystery! Can't believe I have to wait until Wednesday to find out.

 

[littleblonde]

That is so werid. Whem i was faced with going for it i was told even with a high bmi you would be excepted once you got it below 30. As long as you stopped smoking and didnt have any children i thought you would be excepted. I also got told that if you where over a certain age yiou actiually didnt have to wait as long. I dont no what minimun age is and not saying that either or you are over that. Its riubbish you have to wait so long. Hopefully its an admin error or something. Must be something obvious as its only taken 4 days to come back to you

 

[FBbaby]

I think I can answer. IVF falls under the category of specialised commissioned services and buckinghamshire is part of the South Central Specialised Commissioning Group which is hosted by Southampton PCT.

I have found a document doing a google search, didn't read it all, but it would appear that the reason for the refusal is that they only fund women between the age of 30 to 35, however, they say that there will be phased arrangements for women born after April 1, 1972 will be eligible until March 31, 2010. Is this your case?


The document is in pdf format, so can't put the link, but if you go on google.co.uk, type IVF funding buckinghamshire in the search engine, it is the 4th document entitled 'Access to IVF'

 

[tickledpink]

I think I can answer. IVF falls under the category of specialised commissioned services and buckinghamshire is part of the South Central Specialised Commissioning Group which is hosted by Southampton PCT.

I have found a document doing a google search, didn't read it all, but it would appear that the reason for the refusal is that they only fund women between the age of 30 to 35, however, they say that there will be phased arrangements for women born after April 1, 1972 will be eligible until March 31, 2010. Is this your case?


The document is in pdf format, so can't put the link, but if you go on google.co.uk, type IVF funding buckinghamshire in the search engine, it is the 4th document entitled 'Access to IVF'

Thanks, i've just found the document you were talking about. If that's the reason why, then I'm absolutely furious!!!!!!!! We've been trying for over three years and I only turned 36 last Saturday. Seven days too late?????????

 

[babyloulou]

Are you in any sort of position to do it privately?? Please don't get too upset and think all your options are over! The NHS is harsh! xxx

 

[My bump]

Hiya. I am so sorry this decision was not in your favour. I too believe it is your age as there is a cut off point for nhs treatment, seems so unfair though!

Hope you get there in the end, lots of luck xxxxxxx

 

[tickledpink]

Are you in any sort of position to do it privately?? Please don't get too upset and think all your options are over! The NHS is harsh! xxx

We can't afford to go private but we've told my parents what's happened and they've offered to pay for us to go private, no matter what the cost. I'm grateful to have parents like them, but pity any else in our position that doesn't have financial help. I just can't believe it... I signed the IVF referral ON my 36th birthday!

 

[tansey]

OMG is it really your age? that is so unfair!
We recently moved from a PCT that offers NO IVF on the NHS to one where we get one go but we nearly moved to Hampshire and I am 37 and did not know about the age thing
You will probably be able to appeal. You need to do some of your own research and o you are prepared to argue the case! Loads of luck to you!

 

[annmc30]

We received the news this morning that 'unfortunately' on the info provided we are 'not eligible for funding on the NHS for assisted conception'. I'm absolutely gutted. We've gone through three years of tests, scans, ultrasounds, being injected with dyes and hubby even had an operation but it took them just 4 days to respond to our IVF referral to say no. They haven't told us why and I can't see my Doctor until Wednesday to find out. It's absolutely soul destroying and can't stop crying... I can't help wondering what possible reason they will give for refusing us

hi i was in the same boat as you we got all the way to the ivf clinic after 3yrs at gyno just 2 b told no on the nhs, we put in an appeal in june 09 with pct and on the 23rd dec we got a letter saying we could have 3 goes free, dont give up hope do the appeal our pct said we would never win but we did, fingers crossed hun x

 

[FBbaby]

annmc30, can I ask you which pct you are with and what was the ground for the appeal?

It is normally extremely difficult to win an appeal if the reason for being turned down is not meeting the criteria of the policy. Tickledpink, when were you referred for investigations? If it was quite some time ago, and you missed out on the funding by just a few days, I think you could possibly have a case by justifying that had you been referred to the fertility consultant sooner, you would have met the criteria. It is wonderful that your parents have offered to pay, but still worth considering putting a case to your pct.

 

[tickledpink]

To be honest, I don't know if I could go through with an appeal as it would mean delaying things again. We wouldn't be able to go through with the Private referral because as soon as that's started, we give up the right to have treatment on the NHS. We were referred to the hospital back in Feb 2008 and got an appointment for May 2008. All they did was tell us to have more sex and come back in a year... GRRR! They only started the investigations in May of 2009. So it's taken us 9 months to get this far.

 

[DragonMummy]

Southampton? That's nowhere bloody NEAR bucks!


I know it's easy to lose hope but you can appeal. Wait til you have seen your doctor and find out what youre up against and also why it hasn't gone to your local PCT. You can appeal directly to the PCT I think so you should be able to put across a more personal case.

It's ironic isn't it that you have to go through all these tests to establish you need IVF, then by the time you finally get there you could be considered too old! It would be funny if it wasn't so heartbreaking.

Best of luck to you and don't lose hope. xxx

 

[annmc30]

annmc30, can I ask you which pct you are with and what was the ground for the appeal?

It is normally extremely difficult to win an appeal if the reason for being turned down is not meeting the criteria of the policy. Tickledpink, when were you referred for investigations? If it was quite some time ago, and you missed out on the funding by just a few days, I think you could possibly have a case by justifying that had you been referred to the fertility consultant sooner, you would have met the criteria. It is wonderful that your parents have offered to pay, but still worth considering putting a case to your pct.

ours is county durham, we both have a child 2 sum 1 else but he didnt know till the child was 8yrs old from a 1 night stand, the pct said 2 us we would never win but the court over ruled it wish i was happy 2 hear now we can get bck on track, i would fight it

 

[FBbaby]

This is very interesting annmc. It actually went to court? I am in that situation, I have two children from a previous relationship, but OH have none. The problem with our fertility is his low sperm count and morphology, so it seems so unfair that he has the problem, but can't get treatment because of me. I do know though that such cases never win at appeal in my area, so know it would be a waste of time, but didn't know that you could have a chance going to court. Not that it would be any help to me, at 39, I can't waste any time, each month battling would mean a reduction in success rate.

tickledpink, same dilemma and I can understand you deciding to go private. I've decided to accept the situation if only because going through ivf is enough to surround you with a feeling a unfairness, adding to it will just make it worse.

 

[rosierose]

Hi
Really sorry to hear your news.Age is such a problem for women but I refuse to see it that way.Im 49 but my body is in great shape(yrs of gym) just waiting for the right guy to have a baby with.....time waits for no man but IVF gives you the chance you deserve even if the NHS doesnt.Im in India where there are no restrictions on age,having had one child etc and its affordable ,no wating lists and great doctors.Most of the docs I saw in UK were Indian anyway and they were the best!We used ivfplanet to help us.The BBC were here for a month filming te clinic asits got such a good reputation so have a look x