Hi lolly,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having a tough time emotionally at KEMH Public Fertility Clinic. You raise   issues of disappointment, frustration and sadness and yes it must be very tough to watch all those around you being pregnant with their second child- all unfortunately common emotions when going through fertility treatment (it would be the same even if you were going through the private clinics).

Yes - You do have rights to your KEMH notes however there is a process about getting copies made. Also because of my active consultations with all clinics in Perth I can advise you how the private IVF system works and the pros/cons of staying put with KEMH (which I think is a good option as you are already in the system) and/or seeking a second opinion.

Your question about the time frame for starting IVF once you get the KEMH approval for public funded IVF is a difficult one to answer as it is determined by the clinic which will  be providing the treatment - which currently is Concept Fertility Centre - as they have the contract for public funded IVF. So as soon as you get your paperwork signed I would contact CFC on  9382 2388 and ask your question about starting time.

So the bottom line - the catch with the public funded system is the annoyance of the waiting list and eligibility criteria to get onto the system but the upside is the excellent medical treatment by experienced Gynaecologists at Concept's new State of the Art IVF Clinic with the added bonus that you won't have to go into debt.

Hope this information helps and take care.

Regards

Iolanda

Hi Everyone - Thanks for the calls during the week - hope this information summarises things for you.

1) Does a public funded fertility clinic actually exist in Perth?
Yes it does - it is located at King Edward Memorial Hospital, in the West Wing Clinic. It runs only on a Monday afternoon and the delightful clinic nurse coordinator is called Noreen.

2) What is the waiting list?
Unfortunately this is the downside to the clinic. It can take patients at anywhere between 12 months to 18months to get seen for an initial appointment and subsequent reviews can also take a long time to be scheduled.

3) Am I just seen by medical students?
Not at all - there are sensior registrars and consultant gynaecologists who consult to the team. You might even be seen by Dr. Lucy Williams (Medical Director of Concept Fertility Centre) or Dr. Roger Perkins (Hollywood Fertility Centre) both well respected gynaecologists.

4) Can anyone get public funded fertility treatment?
Currently patients requiring egg donation, surrogacy, wanting a second child with their partner or couples who have male factor fertility issues due to vasectomy would not be seen. Noreen the clinic nurse can outline other criteria. Also elgilibility will also be affected by modifiable life factors - if you smoke, are obese or drink excessive alcohol you will need to modify these .

5) Where will I be treated?
All initial assessments and exploratory surgery are conducted at KEMH. Basic fertility treatment such as tracking, timed intercourse and ovulation induction are also done at KEMH. The more complex IVF or ICSI treatments or recipients of donor sperm are referred as public funded patients to the private fertility clinic Concept Fertility Clinic www.conceptfert.com.au .

6) As a public funded patient at a private clinic will I be treated differently?
Absolutely not - all patients (private or public) are treated equally and with the highest regard. All patients are treated with the same standards of medical and nursing interventions. At Concept you are not seen by medical students but by senior consultants.