The response...

...from the PCT is in!

The letter was long so here are the highlights:

In 2008/09 there was no routine funding of specialist conception they deferred all treatment bar the couples on the existing waiting list who were approaching the upper age limit within the PCT criteria (39+).

In 2009/10 the PCT agreed a phased reintroduction of funding for specialist assisted conception for couples who meet all of the current PCT criteria (check) AND are known to hospital secondary care services (surely they know us, they have been treating us since September 2008) AND where the female is aged 37, 38 or 39 (bugger!).

The hospital who informed me that there was no funding have been told off and I have received an apology on behalf of the registrar who informed you that there was no funding for treatment in June 2009 as this was clearly incorrect. (Is that meant to make me feel better?!)

Apparently there is a mechanism to consider individual cases where a couple do not meet the criteria for funding in 2009/10 and where the GP or hospital consultant feel that there are exceptional circumstances in their case which over-rides the criteria.

Do I have exceptional circumstances? I don't think so. I'm just one of many IF struggling to conceive, there is nothing exceptional about me so my IF journey with this particular PCT is over.

They can stick their NHS funded conception UP THEIR ARSE!

I'm not that angry, I didn't expect my letter to the PCT to miraculously change their mind and place me on a waiting list. It helps having a back up plan. Hopefully I will know either way (next Thursday) whether the neighbouring county has funding and if they will consider our case. If not, we go it alone, spending the small amount of money we made on our house sale in our quest to have a family. I know that we are lucky to have this money but, all I can say is, thank god we eventually sold the house.

I went back to WW and unbelievably I only put on a pound. I seem to have got my eating back under control (day 2 and counting) so let's hope I can shift the last 10lbs to finally get to goal.

In case you are interested, the title picture is the view over our back hedge. Doesn't look like that now though because the Oil Seed Rape flower has died off.