How To Refer Patients
MFS treats both self-funded and NHS-funded patients and GPs and consultants are welcome to refer potential patients whether their funding status is known, or is yet to be confirmed.
Potential patients are welcome to attend any of the unit’s free monthly open evenings to learn more about the investigations, male preservation and female preservation services and treatments MFS offers and how to register as patients.
Self-funded patients
Privately-funded patients should be referred to Dr Gillian Lockwood, medical director of MFS:
Self-referring patients are asked to obtain a letter of referral from their GP or consultant before their treatment starts.
NHS-funded patients
MFS holds contracts to deliver fertility investigations, preservation services and treatments to nine Midlands-based PCTs. Please refer to the relevant PCT policy to confirm:
- if a referral should come from a GP or consultant
- the type of treatment that is funded
- the number of treatment cycles funded
- if the referral for treatment should be made directly to MFS or to the PCT which manages the waiting list
- the length of the waiting time (currently between two months and three years depending on the PCT)
- criteria for eligibility for funded treatment, including:
- age of female patient
- age of male patient
- length of relationship
- any previous sterilisation/vasectomy
- duration of infertility
- any existing children
- any previous fertility treatment
- the woman’s BMI
- whether either partner smokes
MFS or the PCT commissioning department can advise of the specific criteria for each PCT.
Once referred to MFS either by the GP, consultant or the PCT, the funding administration of the patient’s treatment will be managed by Linda Tanner, the MFS NHS contracts manager, who will:
- liaise directly with the patient to confirm the availability of funding and the length of the waiting list (if appropriate)
- track their progress through treatment regarding funding
- report back to the PCT via the audit system
In addition, GPs and consultants are advised in writing of key stages of any patient’s treatment by members of the clinical and scientific teams.
Funding for non-contracted services, including oocyte cryopreservation for young cancer patients, may also be sourced from PCTs with which MFS has contracts, or from other PCTs on an extra contractual referral (ECR) basis.
For more information on referrals for NHS funded treatment, email Linda Tanner, the MFS NHS contracts manager 10.00am-3.30pm, Wednesday to Friday or phone her on 01922 455911.