Is fertility treatment overseas really just as credible as the NHS? Often, yes – here’s how

For many of us in the UK, a first step in trying to access fertility treatment begins with the NHS. It’s familiar, regulated and widely trusted. But as we hear from more and more patients experiencing long waiting lists, complex referral pathways and postcode-dependent access to funded care, where else are we turning for support?

Increasingly, we’re asking this (pretty fair) question: Can fertility treatment overseas really offer the same standards of care and credibility as treatment at home?

The answer is, in many cases, yes. Particularly when treatment is carefully planned, medically supervised and supported by experienced professionals both in the UK and abroad.

The Medical Travel Company (TMTC) specialises in making this journey smooth. Their international team combines UK-based support with world-class fertility treatment and top-notch aftercare in India, guiding you every step of the way.

Here’s their take on the question, with lived experience from Seetal Savla, TMTC ambassador and fertility advocate.

What patients expect from NHS fertility care, and where challenges can arise?

The NHS remains an important route into fertility care for many couples and individuals across the UK. Still, accessing treatment can be harder than many people might first expect.

“The NHS fertility referral pathway is long and complex,” explains Seetal Savla. “The couple may be registered with different GP practices, and usually the female partner is the person seen first.”

Timing issues, appointment delays and inconsistent communication around results can slow the process down. From there, patients are commonly referred into secondary care for additional testing, before potentially progressing to IVF or ICSI through tertiary fertility centres.

Each step can involve further waiting periods. “There can be delays in receiving appointments and results, clinic cancellations at the last minute, and long waits before IVF referral,” Seetal says.

“This is again only if they meet the NHS funding eligibility criteria. Sometimes patients may miss the opportunity for NHS funding as they may have missed the age limit due to these delays in the referral process. This affects their opportunity for NHS funding, their success rates as they are older, and increasing anxiety, stress due to poor communication about results and delays. 

In addition the NHS funding criteria can vary depending on where you live, the ‘post code lottery’ which is not always in line with NICE guidelines, and often not known until the referral is due making it even more distressful”.

Why more UK patients are considering fertility treatment overseas

For patients who are self-funding treatment, overseas fertility clinics are becoming an increasingly practical option. Cost plays a role, but it is far from the only reason.

Seetal says: “The complexity of the referral process, the repeated cancellations, delays in receiving appointments and results and perhaps less empathy on occasion, can lead patients to seek treatment outside the NHS privately both in the UK and overseas.” 

“Patients are now more acutely aware of the implications of age on the outcome of any treatment and they are willing to act early. Limited availability of NHS funding unfortunately means that more than half the IVF cycles in the UK are self funded under private care. Patients therefore are looking at all their options including treatment overseas where care is often more affordable and of equal standards,” she explains.

Cross-border fertility care – where does TMTC fit in?

One of the biggest concerns patients have about treatment abroad is knowing which clinics to trust.

Researching fertility clinics overseas independently can quickly get, well, tricky. You might find yourself comparing regulations, laboratory standards, donor laws, pricing structures and success rates across different countries and clinics, all while trying to make important medical decisions.

TMTC’s goal is to help simplify that process. According to Seetal, they work exclusively with clinics selected for their clinical expertise, embryology standards, laboratory quality and patient care infrastructure.

“With TMTC, couples are assured that clinics have been selected by a highly experienced Consultant in Reproductive Medicine,” she explains.

The company coordinates treatment planning between UK-based and India-based consultants, helping you navigate joined-up medical preparation, travel arrangements and aftercare.

Support includes:

• UK-based fertility consultations before travel
• Personalised treatment planning
• Guidance around medication and scan schedules
• Travel coordination and appointment booking
• Concierge support while in India

You’ll also continue working with a named UK consultant after treatment, helping support continuity of care once you’re home again.

Why India is becoming a bigger conversation in fertility care

India has long been recognised for its medical expertise across a range of specialties, and IVF is increasingly part of that conversation. Recent regulation has also strengthened oversight in the sector.

“Since the ART Act 2021 in India, assisted conception treatment, donor recruitment and fertility centres are strictly regulated,” says Seetal.

Clinics are held accountable through regulatory frameworks designed to support transparency, safety and consistent standards across treatment.

She explains: “The TMTC UK India partnership ensures that patients are referred to clinics with the highest standards, with the availability of all advanced technologies and expertise.

India is also becoming an important option for some UK patients seeking donor eggs. HFEA published data has identified a significant lack of South Asian egg donors in the UK. 

TMTC has been working with donor banks and clinics to support patients who need donor eggs through a transparent, ethical, accessible and affordable pathway to give couples a realistic chance of building a family which is ethnically matched.”

How continuity of care works between the UK and India

One of the most common concerns around fertility help overseas is what happens before and after treatment.

With TMTC, the journey begins in the UK with a consultation led by a senior Consultant in Reproductive Medicine. During this stage, patients receive information about clinic options, treatment recommendations, travel suitability and supported by full cost information.

If they decide to proceed, they are introduced to the consultant gynaecologist at their chosen clinic in India through an online consultation.

Once treatment plans are confirmed, patients receive:

• A personalised treatment protocol
• Medication guidance
• A detailed travel diary
• Appointment schedules
• Ongoing patient support throughout the process

After returning to the UK, follow-up care continues with the same named consultant.

That may include early pregnancy scans, onward referrals for antenatal care or planning for future frozen embryo transfer treatment if needed.

Do these three things, before exploring fertility treatment overseas 

Having been there herself, Seetal recommends thinking carefully about these three key areas.

1. Get to know your clinic

Take time to understand how a clinic is regulated, how laboratory standards are monitored and what screening protocols are in place.

It is also important to ask practical questions around follow-up care, medical records and communication with your UK healthcare team.

2. Take timing into account

Fertility travel often involves far more than booking flights.

Medication timing, scans, visas, accommodation, legal paperwork, time away from work and the possibility of additional visits can all affect planning.

TMTC will suppport you in mapping out these details in advance, helping create a treatment schedule that works realistically around your day to day.

3. Think honestly about emotional support

Fertility treatment can already feel emotionally draining. Travelling abroad for care and being away from home could pile on the pressure.

You might find overseas treatment empowering and proactive. Others benefit from building extra emotional support into the process before they travel, and TMTC encourages you to bring a loved one with you during treatment, helping create a stronger support system throughout.

Curious about fertility treatment in India?

With UK-based medical oversight, carefully selected partner clinics and personalised patient support, The Medical Travel Company aims to make overseas fertility treatment feel clearer, safer and easier to navigate.

Hop over to their website to learn more about their fertility services, and book in to speak to a UK fertility doctor for free to find out if it’s the right option for you.

Want to hear more from Seetal and their team? Pop this into your playlist: Fertility without borders – One patient’s experiences, revealed