The Referral Process

All patients are entitled to NHS funded fertility investigations. Restrictions to funding only apply to treatment.

If you have been trying to achieve a pregnancy for a year and have not been successful, you should request basic investigations by your GP:

Male – a semen evaluation

Female– Prolactin, Day 21 progesterone, Serum Rubella, Hepatitis C antibody, Hepatitis B core antibody, Hepatitis B surface antigen, and Chlamydia antibodies, an up to date cervical smear (result and date of smear required).

If you have a specific known problem causing subfertility, you do not have to wait to have been trying for a specific length of time and  can be referred to see a hospital consultant straight away.

Should your GP decide to refer you to a General Gynaecology Consultant, rather than one with an interest in fertility problems,  you should be referred on to the Fertility Consultants after 12 months maximum, and ideally 6 months. All of the Consultants at the Hull & East Yorkshire Trust have agreed to abide by this principle.

Some junior doctors may not be aware of this agreement. So, if you feel your investigations are not progressing as you would wish, ask to see the Consultant, or ask for a second opinion.

Should you wish to make a private appointment to see one of our fertility specialists at the IVF Unit to try and speed up the process, you can do this and this would not alter your entitlement to NHS funded treatment, as long as you meet your Clinical Commissioning Group’s specified criteria.

For further information regarding the self-funded patient journey please see:  Self-Funded

Page Last Modified: 17th May 2017