We will confirm in writing how many eggs or embryos were stored. We might advise you to start the process again to increase the number of eggs or embryos stored. This might not be possible if you are storing eggs or embryos before starting urgent medical treatment such as chemotherapy.
We can always arrange follow up to discuss your treatment and future plans and of course are happy to answer any queries at that time. If you are going forward to other treatment e.g. chemotherapy we may agree to defer your appointment.
We will write to you on an annual basis about your stored eggs or embryos and to confirm that they are to remain in storage. We are happy to arrange an appointment to discuss this at any stage. If you think you would like to use the eggs or embryos for treatment we would need to see you in the clinic. We need a referral from your GP to make this arrangement.
Counselling service
We are aware that undergoing fertility procedures is stressful and invades the most personal and private aspects of your life. Counselling can help to lessen your feelings of isolation and confusion, encourage you to recognise and understand your emotions and allow you to explore the options that you have available to make the decisions that are right for you.
We offer a counselling service that gives you the opportunity to talk to a sympathetic and impartial counsellor in a confidential setting. Each session usually lasts for one hour and further sessions may be arranged if necessary.
If you would like to see a counsellor please contact Barbara Hanson on 0191 2825503 or 0191 2829724 for an appointment.
Support groups
Infertility Network UK
Email: [email protected]
Tel: – 0800 0087464 or 01424 732361
Donor Conception Network
Email: [email protected]
Tel – 020 7278 2608
Lily Foundation
http://www.thelilyfoundation.org.uk/
Email: [email protected]
Tel – 0300 400 1234 (Local Rate)
Daisy Network (Premature Menopause Support Group)
www.daisynetwork.org.uk/
Email membership&[email protected]
Macmillan (Preserving fertility)
Contact
If you have any questions or concerns throughout your treatment, you can email the fertility nurses.
We do our best to answer your call as soon as possible, but we are a very busy service, so we may not always have someone available to speak with you immediately. If the line is engaged, please try again later or use the nurse email address above. The telephone line is often quieter in the afternoon.
Outside of these hours, there is an on-call doctor available to speak to in emergencies only on 0191 256 8240. The on-call doctor is not able to change clinic appointments or to answer general queries that are not urgent. These types of calls must be made during clinic opening hours.
For more urgent queries, our telephone line is open 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
If you are leaving a message for us to return your call please take note of the following:
- Please state your full name and date of birth. It may be helpful to spell out unusual names.
- If you are feeling unwell or bleeding in pregnancy and have not had a return call within 2 hours please call again.
- If you are experiencing a medical emergency and need emergency care please attend your local Emergency Department or ring 999.
Patient feedback
We welcome your opinions and feedback on areas you feel have gone well or suggestions you may have to help us improve our service.
If you have any problems during your treatment or are unhappy with the care you are receiving please contact the Senior Sister (Stacey Turnbull) on 0191 213 8213.
Fertility treatment is sometimes upsetting and frustrating particularly when things do not go quite to plan or you do not get the outcome you had hoped for. Sometimes having a chat with us will help relieve some of the tension and frustrations you may be feeling. We are always willing to listen.
