Fertility support including IVF and other specialist treatments

If you are trying for a baby, there is lots of helpful information online, including on the NHS website.

When to speak to your GP about fertility

If you have been trying to conceive for a year without success and are worried about possible infertility, make an appointment with your GP to discuss your options.

Your GP will look at your medical history and discuss your options. They may also arrange initial tests to help identify possible causes. Early assessment can help ensure you receive the right support.

What fertility services can help with

Your GP might refer you to fertility services at a nearby hospital who can help diagnose and treat conditions that affect your ability to conceive. These services also provide advice, investigations, and access to specialist treatment if required.

Support may include:

• fertility assessments
• diagnostic tests
• specialist consultations
• NHS-funded fertility treatment, including onward referral to a specialist clinic for IVF where eligible

Treatment recommendations always reflect your individual clinical needs.

Fertility referral and assessment process

Your GP will carry out an initial fertility assessment. If appropriate, they will refer you to a hospital specialist for further investigation.

Following specialist assessment at a hospital, a consultant may recommend fertility treatment.

Accessing fertility services in the Central East area

Your access to NHS-funded fertility treatment will depend on whether or not you meet certain medical criteria and what is allowed under the commissioning policy that the local NHS in your area has adopted.

We do not yet have a single fertility policy that applies to people across the whole Central East area. The fertility policy that was agreed by the previous Integrated Care Board for the area you live in will apply to you until Central East ICB introduces a new single policy. 

For now, eligibility may vary depending on where you live and which GP practice you are registered with.

Please note: People who are temporarily resident in the UK and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge cannot access NHS funded assisted conception services.

Fertility policies for your area

Follow the links below to see the fertility commissioning policy that currently applies for your area.

Exceptional or individual funding requests for fertility services

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for your area to access NHS-funded fertility services, but your consultant believes that you have a clinically exceptional case, they can make an individual funding request to the ICB.

A future Central East ICB fertility policy will ensure fair and equitable access to fertility services across the Central East area.

Find out more about individual funding requests for the Central East area

Future fertility policy for Central East ICB

A future Central East ICB fertility policy will ensure fair and equitable access to fertility services across the Central East area.

We understand that people will want to have a say on any future fertility policy and we will engage with local people and communities as we develop this.

Once approved, NHS Central East ICB will publish a future fertility policy on this website along with updated guidance to help patients and clinicians understand eligibility clearly.

Further information and support

If you have concerns about fertility, speak to your GP. They can assess your situation and explain available options.

Healthcare professionals can contact the Individual Funding Requests team for further guidance.