Fertility Service

What to expect

When you are first referred to the Fertility Service you will receive an appointment to see the fertility consultant or the specialist nurse. This may be a telephone consultation this will be stated on your appointment letter. At this appointment, we will explain the service, take a history and discuss the nature of the investigations required and the treatments that are available to you.

All patients are treated as couples and both partners are required to attend the first appointment.

We will discuss your referral with you and what you require from the service. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions. We will also advise on lifestyle issues. Once we have all the results available, we will discuss a treatment plan. 

How to help yourself

• Lead a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle will not only benefit you but also the chances of natural conception
• Do not smoke (the referral criteria states that you should not smoke, and you must have ceased smoking for 3 months prior to referral)
• Keep your alcohol; intake to less than 5 units per week and no binge drinking
• Keep your weight within a healthy range. BMI 19-29.9 (In accordance with NICE guidelines and local policy guidelines if you have been referred and your BMI falls outside of these margins your referral may be cancelled).

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) criteria

In some cases, couples may require IVF or similar assisted conception treatments. In order to receive these treatments on the NHS, couples need to fulfil the following criteria:

Dorset Wide Assisted Conception criteria:

• Both partners registered to the same Dorset GP practice
• At least one of the partners must have no living children (this includes biological and legally adoptive children and offspring)
• Age range for women up to the age of 42
• You need to have been trying for a pregnancy for two years.
• Women should have a stable BMI of between 19-29.9 for 6 months prior to referral
• Men should have a BMI of less than 30
• Both partners should be non-smokers for at least six months
• For overseas patients – since 21 August 2017 NHS funded assisted conception services are not free of charge to people who have paid the immigration health surcharge (or are exempt from paying it or have had the requirement to pay it waived) unless another exemption applies in the Charging Regulations. This will be discussed if this applies.

Useful contacts and websites

The Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority (HFEA)
0207 291 8200
hfea.gov.uk

Infertility Network UK
Support line: 0121 3235025

British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF)
Coram BAAF
Coram Campus
41 Brunswick Square
London
WC1N 1AZ

Phone: 020 7520 0300
E-mail: mail@corambaaf.org.uk

The Miscarriage Association
The pregnancy loss helpline is available from Monday to Friday from 9am – 4pm to provide support on all aspects of pregnancy loss. 
01924 200799

Meet our team

Lead Consultant: Mr Andrew Mukherjee

Fertility Nurse Specialist/Lead: Lita Greening

Fertility Nurse: Amanda Chutter

Fertility Lead Secretary: Amanda Smith

Our office is open 7.30am-12 Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

We have a confidential voicemail answering system on which messages can be left 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please ensure that you leave your name, date of birth, hospital number and a return contact number. Alternatively, you may wish to email.

Telephone: 01305 254141 or 07780221819
E-mail:  lita.greening@dchft.nhs.uk