After working closely with Yorkshire Fertility since legislation changes last year, our overseas visitors team were recently invited to share their process with the Overseas Visitors Advisory Group (OSVAG). NHSI are also looking at sharing it with OSVAG members.

The process – for assisted reproduction - has been cited as an example of good practice and is being adopted by other Trusts after their visit last week.

It saves patients and clinic staff time, as all the formal procedures around documentation and payment are organised prior to any appointment being re-scheduled. 

This has been a real success story for CHFT and is a good example of ‘working together to get results’. Yorkshire Fertility fully supported the process and we now have a robust system in place that works well for Yorkshire Fertility, the Overseas Team and the patient.

Philip Ashworth, James Pickles and Jackie Sellars all attended the OSVAG at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. They talked through the process and discussed the positive impact this has had on our Trust and our patients.

Since August 2017, persons who pay the International Health Surcharge are no longer eligible to receive free Assisted Reproduction treatment.

By ensuring ineligible patients go through a robust process before attending clinics, they have saved clinic time and costs – thought to be around £10,000 to-date - by ensuring all patient slots are filled with either eligible or fee-paying patients.

This means all patients are fully aware in advance of everything they need to know, including any costs before attending. They can then make a decision in their own time without the pressure of being at a clinic appointment.

Jackie Sellars said “We received very positive feedback from the meeting and several Trusts are looking to adopt a similar system.

“SOUTH TEES HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST, Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospital Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust have contacted us directly.

“Also NHS Improvement asked for the procedures to be forwarded to them so that they can look at rolling them out across the country to all members of the Overseas Visitors Advisory group”.