Do they prioritise IVF if you are older?

susan_1981 · Dec 9th, 2009, 14:59 PM

A girl at work only had to wait 8 weeks once she got on the waiting list for IVF. I was talking to her today about it (she lives near me so it's probably the same for me) but she said that maybe I'd have to wait longer as I'm only 28 and she's 34 or 35. Is that true or is it different depending on where you live?

muncho · Dec 9th, 2009, 15:03 PM

yes its true, im 38 and dh is also 38, we have no kids.
we were told 2-6 months due to our age and the fact that we dont have any kids!
we will be goign private but will use this as a back up
the number of cycles you get also depend on where you live, i get 3 cycles

susan_1981 · Dec 9th, 2009, 15:29 PM

She said she was only entitled to one so that's not great I suppose. She said the hospital she was referred to was King's College which means, unless they give me Queen Mary's in Sidcup where I'm going for all my tests, that I'm likely to have to go there as well.

Aphrodite · Dec 9th, 2009, 17:07 PM

Hm think I might have to disagree there-I'm 26 and we were told we can have the treatment 8 weeks from referral too. And we get 3 goes. I think its unfair really cause from being on this site, its fairly obvious that all our experiences differ depending on where we live. I think we've got lucky, but a lot of people dont and its not fair. There should be a nationwide standard for fertility treatment and waiting times, IMO.

Manchester_Lu · Dec 9th, 2009, 17:38 PM

I don't think so I know most PCTs have a cut off of 39 but I don't think they discriminate in terms of the waiting list.

Manchester_Lu · Dec 9th, 2009, 17:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muncho

yes its true, im 38 and dh is also 38, we have no kids.
we were told 2-6 months due to our age and the fact that we dont have any kids!
we will be goign private but will use this as a back up
the number of cycles you get also depend on where you live, i get 3 cycles

Just a brief word of warning, I can only speak for my own PCT but the number of 'free' IVF goes also takes into account any private treatment.

So if you're entitled to Two 'free' NHS IVF treatments and have gone privately for an IVF treatment then you will only be entitled to one NHS treatment and likewise if you have two privately then the NHS won't fund any.

muncho · Dec 10th, 2009, 03:01 AM

hi yes it does take into account private..which is fair enough

re: waiting times , you get priority if you are older with no kids, howvever if you have majpr issues and you are younger then im sure you would get referred quicker.
i think in the uk the cut of is 39. ill be 39 in jan, maybe thats the other reason why ill get my appt quicker.
its the whole postcode lottery, which should not happen but unfortunately it does. I work with PCT's and they agree but its the government that set these criterea

FBbaby · Dec 10th, 2009, 03:31 AM

Susan, that is definitely not the case. They might speed up a referral for a woman of 39 to get on the waiting list, but after that, age makes no difference at all. All Kent providers (you have a choice of three in West Kent if I recall properly) adhere to the 18 weeks wait. I am surprised about her going to Kings though and only have one go as this is not one of the normal choice for Kent residents, and also, you are now entitled to two goes. It could be that she is registered with a GP outside of Kent and therefore falls under London arrangement rather than Kent.

Crypto1976 · Dec 10th, 2009, 04:02 AM

Every pct has different rules. I think its misleading to generalise.

My pct doesnt prioritise in terms of age, and the cut off is 38, and private attempts dont count ( in fact the actively encourage you to have private attempts in the hope that you get pregnant while on the nhs list!)The wait is 2 years whatever age you are.....unless you donate eggs and you get seen in 3 mths.

Susan I would check exactly what the terms are in your area before going on the basis of the postcode lotteries. XXX

beauty · Dec 10th, 2009, 04:15 AM

I mentioned this a few weeks ago, and dont think its fair wot so ever pushing others forward due to age, I mean im 28 soon and been trying for 16months and dont wanna be pushed back due to being referred to as young enough!!

I rang my PCT and they said once referred they try and meet target of 18 weeks to get you to IVF treatment. However they explained its a waiting list and no one is pushed forward due to age or fertility reasons etc!!
They said your put on list and when your name comes up its your turn, they did say older ladies might get referrred to a fertility specialist a good few months before someone younger due to the age, which they gives them a head start in fertility treatment i suppose but they do try and treat certain cases the same with the same process..

I think my PCT have 3 goes at ivf, however any private treatment is deducted off the nhs goes which i think is like alot of other PCT.

xx

Dec 9th, 2009, 14:59 PM	#1
susan_1981 Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kent Posts: 2,116	Do they prioritise IVF if you are older? A girl at work only had to wait 8 weeks once she got on the waiting list for IVF. I was talking to her today about it (she lives near me so it's probably the same for me) but she said that maybe I'd have to wait longer as I'm only 28 and she's 34 or 35. Is that true or is it different depending on where you live?

Status: Online

Dec 9th, 2009, 15:03 PM	#2
muncho Trying to conceive (TTC) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 1,385	yes its true, im 38 and dh is also 38, we have no kids. we were told 2-6 months due to our age and the fact that we dont have any kids! we will be goign private but will use this as a back up the number of cycles you get also depend on where you live, i get 3 cycles

Status: Offline

Dec 9th, 2009, 15:29 PM	#3
susan_1981 Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kent Posts: 2,116	She said she was only entitled to one so that's not great I suppose. She said the hospital she was referred to was King's College which means, unless they give me Queen Mary's in Sidcup where I'm going for all my tests, that I'm likely to have to go there as well.

Status: Online

Dec 9th, 2009, 17:07 PM	#4
Aphrodite Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 990	Hm think I might have to disagree there-I'm 26 and we were told we can have the treatment 8 weeks from referral too. And we get 3 goes. I think its unfair really cause from being on this site, its fairly obvious that all our experiences differ depending on where we live. I think we've got lucky, but a lot of people dont and its not fair. There should be a nationwide standard for fertility treatment and waiting times, IMO.

Status: Offline

Dec 9th, 2009, 17:38 PM	#5
Manchester_Lu Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 291	I don't think so I know most PCTs have a cut off of 39 but I don't think they discriminate in terms of the waiting list.

Status: Offline

Dec 10th, 2009, 03:01 AM	#7
muncho Trying to conceive (TTC) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 1,385	hi yes it does take into account private..which is fair enough re: waiting times , you get priority if you are older with no kids, howvever if you have majpr issues and you are younger then im sure you would get referred quicker. i think in the uk the cut of is 39. ill be 39 in jan, maybe thats the other reason why ill get my appt quicker. its the whole postcode lottery, which should not happen but unfortunately it does. I work with PCT's and they agree but its the government that set these criterea

Status: Offline

Dec 10th, 2009, 03:31 AM	#8
FBbaby Trying to conceive (TTC) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sussex Posts: 1,031	Susan, that is definitely not the case. They might speed up a referral for a woman of 39 to get on the waiting list, but after that, age makes no difference at all. All Kent providers (you have a choice of three in West Kent if I recall properly) adhere to the 18 weeks wait. I am surprised about her going to Kings though and only have one go as this is not one of the normal choice for Kent residents, and also, you are now entitled to two goes. It could be that she is registered with a GP outside of Kent and therefore falls under London arrangement rather than Kent.

Status: Offline

Dec 10th, 2009, 04:02 AM	#9
Crypto1976 Pregnant (Expecting) Inactive Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 2,820	Every pct has different rules. I think its misleading to generalise. My pct doesnt prioritise in terms of age, and the cut off is 38, and private attempts dont count ( in fact the actively encourage you to have private attempts in the hope that you get pregnant while on the nhs list!)The wait is 2 years whatever age you are.....unless you donate eggs and you get seen in 3 mths. Susan I would check exactly what the terms are in your area before going on the basis of the postcode lotteries. XXX

Status: Offline

Dec 10th, 2009, 04:15 AM	#10
beauty Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK Posts: 1,792	I mentioned this a few weeks ago, and dont think its fair wot so ever pushing others forward due to age, I mean im 28 soon and been trying for 16months and dont wanna be pushed back due to being referred to as young enough!! I rang my PCT and they said once referred they try and meet target of 18 weeks to get you to IVF treatment. However they explained its a waiting list and no one is pushed forward due to age or fertility reasons etc!! They said your put on list and when your name comes up its your turn, they did say older ladies might get referrred to a fertility specialist a good few months before someone younger due to the age, which they gives them a head start in fertility treatment i suppose but they do try and treat certain cases the same with the same process.. I think my PCT have 3 goes at ivf, however any private treatment is deducted off the nhs goes which i think is like alot of other PCT. xx

Status: Offline

Similar Threads
I just dont know what to do pls dont read if you are easily upset	Pregnancy - Third Trimester
IF you have had IVF, have you used these drugs? how are they?	Long Term Trying To Conceive
How do they check how dilated you are	Pregnancy - Third Trimester
Do You Offer Your LO Something Else If They Don't Like What You Are Giving Them?	Weaning & Nutrition
Songs that say "how you are feeling"	Miscarriage Support

User Name		Remember Me?
Password