Private IVF vs NHS IVF

[fairy1984]

Hi,

So in my appointment with the FS today, I asked about how long the waiting list was for in for our local county (just because I like to set expectations for myself, not because i'm at that stage right now).

Anyway to my suprise, his reply was "you cant have IVF on the NHS until you are 37" which I was shocked at. I really thought it was open for anyone with fertility probs.

so now my question to you all is this: when I see people writing that the waiting list is "2 years" etc, is that for the private clinic or NHS?

i'm just a bit confused and as I said before, like to know what i'm dealing with

Thanks Ladies

 

[MrsF]

37? Wowsers, I haven't heard that before. I'm 32 and the doc says we qualify on all requirements, so '37' is not a national policy thing - I wonder if that's your PCT's policy??

And from what i can gather, the 'waiting list' is usually an NHS thing, i've been referred to a private clinic (NHS to pay as we dont have an NHS IVF clinic locally) and when i rang them yesterday, they said there was no waiting list.

Hope that helps hun x x x x

 

[Helen]

That's dreadful! Talk about postcode lottery!

Different PCTs have different rules on who they'll treat, but limiting it to the over 37s is ridiculous.

Is that where you're at now? Waiting for IVF? They must be hoping (call me cynical) that everyone will pay for themselves.

 

[Kirstin]

Wow, where are you?

Here theres a 2 year waiting list for the NHS but no private clinics so we're travelling 2 hours away for ours.

 

[DaisyDuke]

Weird we have discussed this with our FS he says no age cap, but they want u to be trying 3 years for unexplained infertility. X

 

[maz]

In my area (NI) the NHS waiting time is in excess of 13 months, but they also offer a self-funded waiting list as well. I'm not even going to go into the self-funded waiting times as it is seriously fucked up at the moment and I'll just go off on one of my rants!!

I have been privately for one cycle of IVF - which worked for a few days - and I just started injecting today for my second cycle. My understanding of women's fertility is that it starts to decline around the age of 35 for most, and the chances of success reduce after that age - so why would a fertility specialist worth their salt, expect any couple to wait until the woman is aged 37 or older? I don't understand the logic behind that at all??

I am waiting for my NHS treatment to come round, but I really don't know if I'll go for it should I need to. The hospital that does our NHS treatment is like a cattle market and I don't want to feel like I'm just another statistic. I know that in our private clinic we are still a statistic, but they take the time to at least make you feel that you're not a statistic - our NHS trust wouldn't take that time ...

Good luck with whatever road you decide to go down...

 

[CurlySue]

I just went to an IVF info evening and was told that they will flat-out stop treating at Age 40 so why they'd limit it to three years when fertility declines after age thirty-five makes no sense to me.

Can you not question it because frankly that is ridiculous.

 

[fairy1984]

well, i'm glad you all think its maddness too. i'm "lucky" in that i found out i have PCOS and am not ovulating after only a few months of trying but "unlucky" (in these circumstances) that i'm only 25.

I dont know that it'll get to the stage that I'd need IVF but I like to research EVERYTHING so i know what i'm dealing with. i'm currently about to start clomid next cycle.

I really was shocked when he said 37, as you ladies have pointed out it is a high minimum point to start at considering the stats. so basically, if clomid doesnt work for me and IUI (which i know little about but assume is the next step) then i'd have to wait 12 years living where I am to be given one free round of IVF at 37

 

[CurlySue]

In fact...some clinics STOP treating at thirty seven. Where about do you live?

Having said that though, if your only problem is PCOS and you have only tried for a few months then its not really a 'problem' at all just yet. My friend conceived with severe PCOS no problem at all. She didnt need IVF.

 

[fairy1984]

hi,

yeah i'm still hopeful that things might just happen naturally/with clomid and IVF wont end up being an option.

I like in Berkshire but the main clinic near us that does this is one in oxfordshire so i'm not sure if they merge or something for this kind of thing.

 

[Bumber]

Hey

I have just started down the clinic route. Mine is a mix of NHS & private and there is a special criteria. I think this is set by the PCT. (Bristol)

Your GP should know more about the criteria. Its usually along the lines of UNDER 39, no other children for you or partner, a suitable BMI, No smoking for either of you, Proven fertility issues (PCOS etc), etc etc. If you have any problems i would ring the PCT. You can always fit your corner.

This postcode thing is so flaming unfair. makes me so mad

Good luck with this

B x

 

[CurlySue]

Is yours the Oxford Fertility Unit? If so, there is a section on their website for IVF results for "those under 37"...

 

[fairy1984]

Hi,

Thanks for pointing me to that. It has really confused me though. I think that is the unit that would be my local one as they mention Reading so presumably that is correct.

The stats for IVF successes for under 37's doesnt make sense...unless they accept private patients there also.

I think more investigation is needed

 

[Brambletess]

That is rediculous! fertilty drops after 35 so they are not giving people the best chance at all. What they are basically saying is that you will have to go private as i am sure you will not wait 12 years and please don't. I am sooo sorry that is the case and its just not right. My feeling are though that the pct may have to revise its policy soon and funding criteria changes all the time. That rule may change in the next year or so. Otherwise you may need to set up a savings plan for private. It can be much cheaper to go abroad as well.

 

[Jan34]

Same in my area (Hampshire). I would have to wait to 36 - and get this - if I were to choose to pay for private treatment in the meantime I would then automatically be excluded from any future NHS treatment. Don't even get me started on this..... it's just ridiculous!

 

[fairy1984]

wow, so thats a similar to berkshire then. I didnt even ask if i'd be excluded if I did get private IVF. thats even worse!

 

[chillypink]

You need to contact your PCT and ask for a copy of thier NICE IVF guidelines. We are in hampshire, were treated at the Oxford Fertility Unit. We paid privately for over a year and then received an NHS IVF funded cycle (which was successful)
Over 37 are only entitled to 1 free cycle, people who are younger (24 - 28, I seem to remember) can get up to 3 free cycles.
We had some appointments in Reading as part of our treatment, staff at Oxford are great.
Good luck.

 

[Jan34]

So I asked the consultant at our appt this week. In our area it's 36 min age, trying for 3 years and you're entitled to 1 NHS funded cycle. You can have 2 private cycles before that without excluding yourself.

Apparently, in the Thames Valley you can't have any private cycles without excluding yourself, and in another part of Hampshire the rules are different yet again.

So chillypink - I reckon you're in a different PCT to me as we only have 1 free cycle over the age of 36.

His exact words were 'if anyone tells you there's no postcode lottery on the NHS, they're lying!'

 

[Tory123]

Hi

37 is ridiculous, I think something needs to change about the post code lottery. Where I live we get three rounds of IVF but this is stopping us moving.

 

[fairy1984]

wow so it looks like my FS is accurate when he said 37.

I think i'll ask him more when I go back to see him again (I wont be seeing him until i've done a few rounds of clomid as we can do check up's over the phone).

As mentinoed before, i'm not really anywhere near the IVF stage yet so this is all research for me but it seems amazing that the ages/procedures vary so much.