Family’s £50k on failed treatments
A COUPLE spent £50,000 unnecessarily on private IVF at an NHS hospital.
Nicola and Karl Medina were told by consultants at Leeds General Infirmary that the cause of their fertility problems was ‘unexplained’.
They were then referred for private treatment at the trust because Mr Medina has children from a previous marriage, making them ineligible for funding.
After four failed cycles over five years – at great expense – the couple sought a second opinion and were told Mrs Medina had endometriosis, a common problem.
A simple procedure solved the issue and they now have two children – both conceived naturally. Mrs Medina said too many patients are urged to pay privately for IVF when they do not need it.
The 34-year-old said: ‘I was dismissed over and over again when I asked about what could be wrong with me. The doctors didn’t want to look for an underlying problem. They were so focused on getting as many women on IVF as possible.’
Mr and Mrs Medina were forced to ‘beg, borrow, go without and get into terrible debt’ to cover the cost of IVF and spent £50,000 in total.
Mrs Medina fell pregnant naturally five months after having the minor operation for her endometriosis. And four months after having Poppy-Aryanna, they conceived their second child, Spencer.
Mrs Medina, a full-time mother, said: ‘Had we known earlier about my illness, a lot of heartache and money could have been saved.’ Mr Medina, 44, who runs his own building firm, added: ‘It’s hard not to feel bitter about the money we spent.’ Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said it received no complaints from the couple.