This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"We have been let down once again"

About: Kettering General Hospital

My husband and I are trying to conceive and after a long and stressful series of meetings with the GP we have been referred to the Gynecology department. Finally at the end of July 2019 we have received a pack with information and tests we needed to be done to make sure there were not impediments to our ability to have a baby. We did all the tests and we have received a letter with an appointment to the fertility clinic for the 27th of November ( 4 months later). We were so excited for the appointment, cause the tests showed no problem and we thought the doctor would have prescribed some medication to increase the chances to get pregnant. However our excitement faded away the day of the appointment, as the doctor informed us that, before proceeding with any medication, I had to do an hysterosalpingogram as they wanted to make sure there were no problem with my tubes. I had to call the first day of my next period to book one (today) and then get another appointment with the fertility clinic after that was done. Today I called the radiology department and they are fully booked for this month, so I will have to call again on January and hope they have space available for me. Our next appointment with the fertility clinic has been booked for the 10th of March 2020, and I don't know if I will be able to do the hysterosalpinogram before that date! I feel so frustrated now, because if i knew about this additional examination back in July, I would have done it right away, instead of waiting another 3 months. The point of ensuring all tests were carried out prior to our appointment with the consultant (as explained to us in July as the reason for the long timeline) seems to have been a complete falsehood and has shattered our belief in the NHS and the systems in place - we feel lied to and pushed down a never ending line of tests. No-one has, as yet, given us a clear indication as to if there is indeed an issue and, if such, what the treatment path could be - we have been trying to conceive now for 2 and a half years and the support from the NHS to help us understand why this isn't happening is totally underwhelming. If this is the standard course for the treatment path, and we feel the huge strain on us with everything we are going through, then this must be having the same effect with countless other in a similar situation.

nhs.uk logo
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Kettering General Hospital 4 years ago
Kettering General Hospital
Submitted on 15/01/2020 at 11:25
Published on nhs.uk at 11:36


I am sorry you have experienced a delay in been able to arrange your hysterosalpingogram (HSG). There is always a great demand for this and due to the nature of the procedure and timings within a cycle, it can mean that you may need to be booked into the following month. The X-ray service do work hard to ensure that all ladies requiring this are booked in a timely manner. It is a test, however, it is not arranged by GPs and so would only be requested following the consultant appointment in clinic, hence this could not have been done any sooner. I have shared your comment with the X-Ray department for their information.

A follow up fertility clinic review is booked following your initial appointment allowing a month or two to complete the required investigations. It is at that point that we would try to give you any possible diagnosis or reason why you may be struggling to conceive although that still may not always be possible. Treatment options can then be discussed based on the diagnostic information we would then have available. Again, due to the nature of the speciality all this may take some time but hopefully once we are in a position to commence treatment this is done quickly at that follow up visit.

Should you have any further concerns do please contact myself directly on 01536 492872 and I would be happy to discuss this further with you.

Sarah Munn

Fertility Nurse

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k