Postcode lottery!!

[maz]

Well, we all know it's a postcode lottery for IVF/ICSI on the NHS, and that in some parts of the country we have to wait ages. Typically, in Northern Ireland, we have to wait 14 months, and then we only get one NHS IVF treatment.

Now it seems that even the private sector is being affected. And when I say private, I'm not talking about the NHS selling unfilled slots, I'm talking about a completely private clinic. A clinic that is a profit-making organisation. I went out this morning and came home to find a letter from the private clinic we had our two cycles at. I recognised the envelope straight away, by the font, colour of ink, and PO Box address on the back.

I opened the letter to find a nicely worded letter that explained how the economic climate hasn't had an effect on their business and that they now need to introduce a waiting list. And wait til you hear how long it is - 4 to 6 months!!!! 4 to 6 months wait to PAY for IVF. How f**king sh!te is that?? That's nearly half as long as the bloody NHS ... And I'll tell you better than that ... if you want to go on to the waiting list, you have to pay a £500 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit for the pleasure.

There are only two treatment centres in Northern Ireland, so if my NHS treatment doesn't work, I have to pay a deposit while I wait for the private clinic to slot me in.... Obviously I don't want to pay this deposit now, as I'm trying to have a bit of positivity that my NHS treatment will work. But at the same time I don't want to be waiting ages for my treatment either. Me thinks me needs to find another private clinic for my back-up plan... Any suggestions as Sweden might be looking good at this point in time?

 

[Kelly9]

you have been lucky up till now though! In canada its a 4 month wait to get the initial ivf appointment then another 6 months after the first appointment before you actually get to do the procedure and egg collection and we pay for every cent of it as it is not insured here in Canada. I have considered looking into other countries where if you donate half your eggs they cover the cost of the treatment cause then we would just have travel expenses. But the clinic in calgary alberta canada also charges a non refundable fee it is only 250 though. They thought they would give us a break I guess from the 10,000 plus a cycle they charge us up front for the treatments. I would love to have even one cycle covered!

 

[Kirstin]

I would be thinking about going abroad too

 

[JASMAK]

non-refundable fee here is $1000. I am not sure how long the wait is, but my appointment isn't until mid-October!!! That is all private here...as Kelly said, Canada is not covered at all. We pay every single penny...except the first appointment with a FS and ONLY if you are referred. Bogus shit!

 

[Kelly9]

oh I didn't have to pay for my appointments with FS but that is just a gyne out here so it is covered. $1000!!!!! You should come to the calgary clinic Jasmak! WHat are the actual costs of the treatments out in BC?

 

[maz]

I appreciate that in other countries there is no such thing as NHS funding, but the point I am trying to make, is that if I lived approx 200 miles away from where I am now, I would get three free cycles and have a wait time of approx 5 months, instead of the 14 month wait for the one free cycle where I live now.

It doesn't make me feel very 'lucky' to be honest with you.

 

[rachelle1975]

Oh Maz that's crapola.
Tanya's clinic is £5200 for a cycle of ICSI and she had 3 embies put back? She said you can stay with her providing you dog sit if you go over!!
What about France - any good clinics there?
Failing that... the UK with a spot of egg-sharing?

 

[jojoD]

Hi Maz,

As you know I'm waiting to go to the clinic you're talking about. They have also just increased their prices as well. New prices come into effect as of August. One cycle of ICSI with them is going to cost us in and around £5,000 and as you say we still have to wait bl00dy ages for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS Had no idea bout the whole postcode thing!!!! If we live close to Belfast then are we screwed???

 

[maz]

Hi JoJo

Anybody in Northern Ireland has to go to the Royal for IVF on the NHS - it's the only hospital with NHS funding for that sort of treatment - hence the ridiculous waiting lists, and only getting one shot. I didn't know the prices were going up at the other clinic - great!! Looks as though we'll be shopping around then ...

 

[JASMAK]

I appreciate that in other countries there is no such thing as NHS funding, but the point I am trying to make, is that if I lived approx 200 miles away from where I am now, I would get three free cycles and have a wait time of approx 5 months, instead of the 14 month wait for the one free cycle where I live now.

It doesn't make me feel very 'lucky' to be honest with you.

Sorry hon...I didn't want to sound that way, but reading over it...it did. No, that does suck. I guess what I was trying to say (but didn't) is that I am feeling frustrated too, but I should have saved that for my own post! sorry again. Can you travel the 200 miles? I am travelling 150 to get my treatment as there is no FS here?

 

[maz]

I appreciate that in other countries there is no such thing as NHS funding, but the point I am trying to make, is that if I lived approx 200 miles away from where I am now, I would get three free cycles and have a wait time of approx 5 months, instead of the 14 month wait for the one free cycle where I live now.

It doesn't make me feel very 'lucky' to be honest with you.

Sorry hon...I didn't want to sound that way, but reading over it...it did. No, that does suck. I guess what I was trying to say (but didn't) is that I am feeling frustrated too, but I should have saved that for my own post! sorry again. Can you travel the 200 miles? I am travelling 150 to get my treatment as there is no FS here?

Don't worry about it. You know how it is when typing things out. You mean it to read one way, and when someone else reads it, emphasis is put somewhere different, and it sounds totally different to what you meant. I've been caught out like that myself. No offence taken.

I'm considering travelling to be honest with you. The private clinic where we are, has increased their prices to the point where it may be more cost effective to travel for treatment. Hopefully this won't be necessary, but if it is then I've already told DH that we need to seriously give it some thought.

 

[BizyBee]

That's crap Maz! Although not ideal, traveling seems like it might be your best option. xx

 

[Mendy]

Oh maz so sorry you are going through this crap!!! I would agree and have to say that it's looking like traveling will be your best option, but as you said, hopefully you won't have to.

I hope it all gets sorted out soon!

 

[JASMAK]

I appreciate that in other countries there is no such thing as NHS funding, but the point I am trying to make, is that if I lived approx 200 miles away from where I am now, I would get three free cycles and have a wait time of approx 5 months, instead of the 14 month wait for the one free cycle where I live now.

It doesn't make me feel very 'lucky' to be honest with you.

Sorry hon...I didn't want to sound that way, but reading over it...it did. No, that does suck. I guess what I was trying to say (but didn't) is that I am feeling frustrated too, but I should have saved that for my own post! sorry again. Can you travel the 200 miles? I am travelling 150 to get my treatment as there is no FS here?

Don't worry about it. You know how it is when typing things out. You mean it to read one way, and when someone else reads it, emphasis is put somewhere different, and it sounds totally different to what you meant. I've been caught out like that myself. No offence taken.

I'm considering travelling to be honest with you. The private clinic where we are, has increased their prices to the point where it may be more cost effective to travel for treatment. Hopefully this won't be necessary, but if it is then I've already told DH that we need to seriously give it some thought.

Well, if it is faster too....

 

[Kelly9]

That does suck 14 months! Out here in Canada where we pay I added the costs up for IVF it is about 6000 plus meds which I think for me will be around 1000 and for ICSI it is about 7500 plus about 1000 for meds. Thats canadian dollars. Our wait list is 4 months for the initial appointment then an additional 6 months to start the procedure after the first apt but we are allowed to try our IUI during that 6 month wait as long as we are med free 2 months prior to IVF. Hopefully we won't need the IVF and the IUI will work. As for clinics I think there is only the one in AB but it is rated as one of the best in term of treatment and successes so we will wait. If we need IVF and can't afford it if we don't get some funding from the charity fund then we will look into the UK for the egg sharing to see if it would be cheaper to go there.

 

[Mrs R]

OMG Maz, that is so depressing! The private clinic has always been my back-up plan that has kept me going through the shite NHS treatment I've been getting.

I always felt a tiny bit better knowing I had another option if it ever came to needing IVF -I might come to Sweden with you lol

 

[maz]

OMG Maz, that is so depressing! The private clinic has always been my back-up plan that has kept me going through the shite NHS treatment I've been getting.

I always felt a tiny bit better knowing I had another option if it ever came to needing IVF -I might come to Sweden with you lol

I was going to say that me, you, and Steph can go together and make it a girly holiday ... but I guess that would be a bit pointless considering we need the men to be there too!!!!

How was your holibop???

 

[Mrs R]

What a good idea Maz, we could take our hubbies in test tubes in our suitcases (well the bit we need anyway!) lol

Have you looked at Dublin or anything? Although with the Euro being so crap I'm sure it would cost a fortune.

My holiday was fab, so relaxed, ate so much and got a nice tan. Back to work tomorrow though and already on the world's strictest diet. Poor me!

 

[maz]

I looked at Dublin when we first starting researching, but like you say, the euro rate is a bit pants so it was about £1000 more expensive.

Glad you had a nice holiday. What's happening for you now? When's your next appointment?

 

[Mrs R]

Next appointment isn't til the end of September, 2 very long, exercise filled months away! Even then I'm not guarenteed anything - he just said we'll discuss injections then.

But I don't believe a word they say anymore because they all tell you something different.

Any word on your treatment yet?