Fertility
Hillingdon Hospital: Main building, Elizabeth Outpatients (3rd floor) (Cumberlege Centre)
Fertility Nurses office & clinic: 1st floor of the maternity building (Marina Ward)
Telephone (advice or test results): 01895 279921
Telephone (appointments/cancellations) – Elizabeth Outpatients Receptionists: 01895 279899
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At the fertility clinic, we see couples experiencing infertility/problems getting pregnant. The desire to have a child is natural and conceiving a child may seem like the easiest thing in the world to some couples. For other couples infertility can affect your work, sexuality, relationship and even your lifestyle.
We have a clinical psychologist on site who offers counselling sessions to patients or couples that wish to talk to her, but this is done by appointment only. We also have dieticians in the hospital that can help with dietary advice. The Specialist Nurse is also available to offer help, advice & support to patients/couples or even advice to health practitioners or GPs. As a teaching hospital sometimes medical or nursing students may be present in consultations.
If you have never been pregnant (primary infertility), you can be referred after trying for a baby regularly for 1 year. If you have been pregnant before (secondary infertility), you can be referred after trying for a baby for 6 months. |
How Do I/We get Referred?
- Independently on Choose & Book
- Fax or Letter to be sent by your GP
- Referral from another hospital by a Consultant
- Referral from other Drs in the Trust
Please note: All referrals for Fertility should be made under the woman’s name even if the problem is with the man. We see our patients as a couple, though the appointments are under the woman’s name. We follow the 18 week referral pathway. If you do not attend (DNA) your appointment, you will automatically be discharged, unless you inform us in advance then we can reschedule your appointment (01895 279899). The NHS has very little to offer in the form of treatment if a woman is over 40yrs of age. Usually women over 40 have to pursue private IVF.
Diagnostic tests & investigations that we offer:
- Bloods (FSH, LH, oestradiol, prolactin, testosterone, Rubella screen, Progesterone, HIV, Hepatitis screen, thrombophylia screen, TFTs, karyotype/chromosome analysis)
- Pelvic USS
- HSG/dye test (hysterosalpingogram)
- SA (semen analysis for men)
- Laparoscopy or hysteroscopy if needed
- Physical exam sometimes
- Chlamydia screen to be done at your GP surgery by the practice nurse
These tests we do here but GP can initiate them before you get referred. This reduces the delay that is involved with the tests prior to treatment. If you have had all tests from another country recently, please bring in all copies of the results to your appointment
Some causes of infertility
- Female factor
(fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS, Chlamydia, ovulatory problems, problems with
cervical mucus, age, tubal disease, high/very low BMI, Asherman’s Syndrome etc)
- Male factor
(low sperm count, no sperm at all, poor sperm quality, blockage in testicles etc)
- Unexplained infertility
(Where all tests are normal, but cannot get pregnant)
What treatments are offered at Hillingdon Hospital?
- Ovulation stimulation with tablets (clomiphene/ metformin/ tamoxifen)
- Controlled stimulation with gonadotrophins (injections) + follicular tracking
- Surgery in some cases
We do not offer IUI, ICSI or IVF treatments at Hillingdon Hospital. There are specialist units where we can refer patients to have these treatments or patients can chose their own clinics privately.
Eligibility Criteria for IVF/ICSI treatment on the NHS
Please be advised that all criteria is subject to change every financial year, therefore it is important to check with each PCT first. If you need to know the eligibility criteria for the surrounding PCTs you can ring the Fertility Nurses or check with your GP/PCT
Other useful links
www.womens-health.co.uk - Women’s health issues relating to fertility
www.infertilitynetworkuk.com - Charity for people suffering infertility
www.fertilityfriends.co.uk - Organisation supporting men & women who are infertile
www.fertilityexpert.co.uk -Focused on understanding fertility/infertility treatments
www.hfea.gov.uk - Regulates, licences and collects data on fertility treatments
www.fertilityuk.org - Comprehensive information on all aspects of fertility
www.ivf-infertility.com – Information on infertility, treatments and legislation
www.bica.net - Professional Association of infertility counsellors
www.adoptionwestlondon.org.uk - Children needing families
We also have leaflets in other different languages and an interpreter can be organised if you let us know in advance or alternatively bring a friend or relative who can interpret for you.
Consultant Clinics are on Monday afternoons 13:45-16:30.
Specialist Nurse Clinics are Monday AM (9-12), Tuesday PM (1-5), Wednesday PM (1-4)
| FERTILITY STAFF |
Opening Hours for the Nurses |
| Mr N. Watson - Consultant |
Monday 8-5/6pm |
| Mr I. Chilcott - Consultant |
Tuesday 8-5pm |
| Mr M. El-Sayed - Associate Specialist |
Wednesday 8-5pm |
| Kay Chambara & Lily May Raquepo-Gaban |
Thursday 8-5pm |
| (Fertility Specialist Nurses) |
Friday 8-11am (half-day) |
Please be advised that the nurses get very busy in meetings or clinics & may not answer your phone straight away. Just leave your message on the answer phone & one of them will get back to you.
