Hello Everyone,

I hope someone can help as I've tried to look everywhere for this information with no luck so far.

My Consultant referred me to NHS IVF and the local NHS hospital (Barts) have been in contact for me to attend an appointment to kick start everything at the end of February. The only problem is, my consultant (at Queens - where i had my initial tests) told me that I needed to start ivf straight away because of my age and problems and that the Barts NHS list would be about a years wait. So I begged, stole and borrowed (mainly borrowed) the money for 1 private round and arranged to start private IVF in late February (am on the drugs now).

Now I have received the letter to go to Barts at that same time to start the NHS process and I don't know whether to tell Barts the truth (that I need to postpone my appointment because I'm having 1 go at private) or whether they will kick me off if they find out.

I was so surprised to get the letter because the nurses at Queens told me if would be a 3 months wait to get the first appointment at Barts. At the appointment at Barts, they do a fast track system where they take all your bloods, scan you and take my partners sperm test on that same day, so it's not like I could go there anyway because they want to do the tests.

I hope this makes sense and someone can advise me - thanks so much for reading xxx

From what I have heard (i dont know for definate) if you've had/having private, the NHS wont accept you for a free round, as you 'can afford otherwise' - each PCT is different, but id double check before i confirm your private appointment... x

My PCT allow private cycles without it affecting nhs goes.

I would get hold of your PCT policy - it will specify. Your quite close to me (I'm west essex) if you post your area someone on here may have a link for you/know the answer.

Assuming you are allowed a private cycle first I would call Barts and find out what tests they plan to do at that appointment- you may still be able to go tbh.

a semen analysis would still be fine, day 3 bloods they can't be doing anyway (unless they have magically times it for day 3!) , a uterus check for anomolies would be ok - you would be able to give them an antral follicle count/amh as you already have those from your private cycle and other bloods hiv, hep chlamydia would be unaffected.

It's perfectly possible to juggle both tbh with a little planning and homework

It varies vastly from each PCT, mine I was allowed unlimited private goes as far as I am aware but there are others who limit and others who do not allow any.

I would phone your NHS hospital to get absolute clarity on this.

Like you my 1st NHS app fell when I was doing my private cycle - I managed to postpone for several weeks to a date when I would know whether my cycle had worked or not.

I did a private cycle last summer as they wouldn't refer us for yet being 'unexplained'. I'm now getting ready for nhs cycle in next couple of months. We were told however, if we had had more than 1 private cycle we would have to forgo our nhs one x