An AMH test result is used to decide which treatment protocol to use.
A blood sample will be taken from you to measure the amount of a hormone called AMH. The result of that test will help us decide which drug stimulation protocol is best for you during your treatment.
Please note that your AMH test result will not be used to decide whether you are offered treatment or not.
A high AMH level raises the possibility that you may over-respond to your treatment (i.e. too many eggs will be produced), increasing the risk of ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome.
A low AMH level raises the possibility that you may respond poorly to your treatment, i.e. only a few eggs are produced.
Contact us
Address
Assisted Conception Service
Main Outpatient area Clinic Area B Ground Floor Queen Elizabeth Building
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Alexandra Parade Glasgow G31 2ER
We are constantly striving to improve the quality of our service to you and value your opinions about how we could do that. In particular, if you have any comments and suggestions about the content of this website and any of ACS’s information booklets, pamphlets or leaflets, please let us know using the postal address quoted above.
Phone
Treatment bookings: 0141 201 3478
Nursing Staff: 0141 211 8545
Laboratory team: 0141 211 8549
Medical Secretary: 0141 201 3436
Reception: 0141 211 8535
Opening Times
Monday – Thursday: 7.45am – 7.00pm
Friday: 7.45am – 3.30pm
Saturday: 8.00am – 3.00pm
Sunday: 8.30am – 3.00pm
For any emergencies out with these hours please contact your GP, NHS 24 (telephone number 111) or the on call gynaecologist via switch board (telephone number 0141 211 4000).
How to find us
The Assisted Conception Service (ACS) is located in the main Outpatient Area, Clinic Area B on the ground floor of the Queen Elizabeth Building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Enter the hospital via the Alexandra Parade entrance. If you need further assistance please ask at the ‘reception and admissions’ desk in the entrance foyer.
The Assisted Conception Team
Dr Helen Lyall, Consultant Gynaecologist
Dr Lyall is a Consultant Gynaecologist and lead clinician for the ACS Unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. She qualified in 1988 from the University of Dundee and has always worked in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology. She has been directly involved in assisted conception and reproductive medicine for 20 years. During her training Dr Lyall also worked in Edinburgh, moving to Glasgow in 1995. Dr Lyall has published widely and was awarded a MD from the University of Dundee in 1994. She has been a member of a number of national groups looking at the provision of assisted conception treatment, most specifically equity of access, and is a member of the National Infertility Group, convened by the Scottish Government.
Joanne Leitch – Person Responsible & Lead Embryologist
Joanne has gained over 10 years of experience in Clinical Embryology in both public and private health care settings. In her current appointment as the Person Responsible & Lead Clinical Embryologist, she plays a key role in the largest IVF clinic in Scotland. Joanne is a Diplomat of the Royal College of Pathologists and previously an Executive Board member of the Association of Clinical Embryologists.
Professor Scott Nelson, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Scott is the Muirhead Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of Glasgow and HFEA licence holder for Glasgow Royal Infirmary ACS unit. Professor Nelson is a prominent international specialist in reproductive medicine, and world renowned for personalised ovarian stimulation.
Dr Susheel Vani
Dr Vani is a specialist in the field of Reproductive Medicine and Assisted Conception. He completed most of his training in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, including Subspecialty Training in Reproductive Medicine & Surgery, in Edinburgh.
As a part of this training he completed research studies on the endometrium and he was awarded an MD from the University of Edinburgh. Dr Vani moved to Glasgow to take up a full time post as a Consultant Gynaecologist in the ACS in 2010.
He is the lead gynaecologist for the Male Infertility service which is run in conjunction with the Urologists. He is also actively involved with undergraduate and postgraduate medical training.
Dr Aparna Sastry
Dr Sastry is a consultant in infertility with special interests in Paediatric and adolescent gynaecology, Surrogacy, Fertility preservation and Reproductive endocrinology (Turner’s syndrome, Premature ovarian failure, Differences in sex development, gender dysphoria, post cancer reproductive care etc).
She has over 15 years experience in this field and has worked in Australia, Wales and England. She runs a dedicated fertility clinic at Victoria infirmary. She is an honorary senior clinical lecturer at Glasgow University and is also involved in ultrasound training at Caledonia university.
Dr Claire Banks
Dr Banks is a Consultant Gynaecologist, and qualified in Medicine in 2002 from the University of Glasgow. She has worked in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology throughout her postgraduate career, with a special interest in assisted conception since 2007. Before studying medicine, Dr Banks completed a law degree, graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1996 with an LLB Honours degree in Medical Law and Ethics.
Dr Samra Khan
Dr Khan qualified as a doctor in 2003 and completed her core obstetrics and gynaecology training in Oxford and Glasgow. To pursue her special interest in subfertility, she joined the assisted conception unit in Glasgow Royal Infirmary in 2011 for advanced training in this field. She attained a certificate of completion of training in 2013 following which she continued to serve as a consultant within the same unit.
Besides offering tertiary level care for management of infertile couples she also leads the oocyte donation service at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and also provides a fertility service for the south side of Glasgow through a dedicated fertility clinic at Victoria hospital. Dr Khan is very enthusiastic about her specialty and committed to provide a high quality care to her patients.
Isabel Traynor, Lead Nurse
Isabel is the Redesign Manager of the Assisted Conception Service. She graduated from Caledonian University in 1992 with BA Honours in Health and Nursing Studies and had an extensive gynaecology career in Western Infirmary, Glasgow. She worked there for 10 years, in a variety of roles ranging from staff nurse, research nurse, ward manager and clinical nurse manager in gynaecology across North Glasgow NHS Trust. Following this experience, she took up post as the Senior Charge Nurse in the Assisted Conception Unit in Glasgow Royal Infirmary in October 2002.
This challenging role includes clinical and service management, with a research and education component. This experience has been transferred to a clinical environment ensuring that evidence based practice is delivered locally. A range of nurse led services have also been developed within the unit. She has completed several post graduated qualifications in Infertility, Ultrasound Scanning and Non Medical Prescribing.
She has had the privilege of both presenting and being chairperson at several national Infertility meetings for nursing and multi-disciplinary groups. She is the previous chairperson of the Senior Infertility Nurses Group.
Joanne McNabb, Senior Charge Nurse ACS
Joanne qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1981 then as a Certified Midwife in 1982. Her career in midwifery progressed to a Community Midwife then three years later to a Labour Ward Sister.
After a short break she returned to Glasgow Royal Maternity (Rottenrow ) as a Bank Midwife before joining the Assisted Conception Team at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in 1993. As Senior Charge Nurse In the department Joanne leads an excellent team of nurses and HCSWs, helping to plan and deliver the care that provides the best possible experience for patients using the service.
Frances Roebuck, Quality Manager
Frances has 10 years of experience working in Clinical Embryology in a variety of public and private fertility clinics. Frances’ career in embryology began in 2012, with enrolment in the Association of Clinical Embryologists (ACE) certification programme.
She then progressed to attain Clinical Embryologist certification in 2018. She has extensive experience in Quality Control across 3 fertility laboratories and is currently completing an MSc in Healthcare Quality Management Systems.
As Quality Manager, Frances ensures that the clinics quality management system is implemented, maintained and effective whilst co-ordinating awareness of the clinic user’s needs and requirements.
Craig Spinks, Clinical Services Manager
Craig graduated with a Business Management Honours degree and has significant experience working across various NHS sectors which include Golden Jubilee National Hospital and Oral Health Directorate. He commenced current post in July 2014 and has a wider remit across Women and Children’s directorate in addition to Business Manager role within Assisted Conception Service.
Alison Elliot, Counsellor
Alison has been working at the ACS since May 2016. She has worked for NHS as a counsellor for over thirteen years and is an accredited member of British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA), and accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), Counselling Supervisor and a member of Scottish Infertility Counselling Group.
She studied at Glasgow University spending a year at University of South Florida on an exchange programme to graduate with a degree in Sociology 1994. She worked in the field of complex trauma in Florida, USA and Perth, Australia before returning to Glasgow to study a Masters in Public Health.
She was employed by Glasgow City Council Education Services to progress the Scottish Government’s prevention strategy on Gender based violence before returning to education to study to be a counsellor and worked for the Centre of Women’s Health.
Lesley Miller, Counsellor
Lesley has over 26 years experience, having undertaken counselling and psychotherapy training between 1992-1996. Prior to becoming a counsellor Lesley worked within nursing and the field of mental health. Lesley is both BACP and BICA accredited. Over the years she has been employed within a number NHS, Local Authority, residential and community settings.
Before concentrating on her career within the field of fertility counseling she established and managed a therapeutic stress management and crisis service for adults and young people across Glasgow for a period of 21 years up until 2013. In addition to the development of therapeutic skills, Lesley has experience from a depth of understanding and a high level of compassion for her work.
Here at the ACS Lesley endeavors to support individuals and couples with their personal issues arising from infertility and the stress of navigating through the treatment options and process. With her aim being to facilitate a safe, confidential and collaborative relationship, supporting each client to reconnect with their personal strengths, learn new coping skills, build resilience in dealing with the difficulties they are facing, learn effective emotional management techniques and to come to terms with very challenging life events.
Virtual Tour
If you have difficulty viewing the above video please click the link below to view it on YouTube.
This page is currently under review and will be updated imminently to reflect the HFEAs most recent data.
Prior to starting treatment
When we receive a referral letter from your doctor, we will send you a letter of acknowledgment requesting some important information regarding your partner. When we are able to offer you an outpatient appointment, we will write to you and give you:
a date and time approximately 4-6 weeks later for you both to attend for your first appointment at ACS
Since the results of your partner’s semen test will influence which treatment is most suitable for you, it is most important that your partner has had a sample analysed prior to your appointment. This should be arranged with his General Practitioner. Please note that:
if, despite this request, your partner does NOT supply a semen sample as instructed, your first visit to ACS will be cancelled and you must contact us to arrange another appointment.
Your first visit
At your first consultation (which will take about 30 minutes) you will meet with a Specialist Fertility Nurse or a Doctor. They will go through a detailed medical history with you both. You will also have your height and weight measured (to calculate your BMI), carbon monoxide screening (to check if you smoke) and you may also need an ultrasound scan of your ovaries.
We require all patients starting a cycle of treatment to have 2 MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) vaccinations. If you have already provided us with paperwork to confirm this, you do not need to do so in subsequent cycles. If you need to check if you have had 2 MMR vaccines please check with your GP in the first instance.
Please note that to be eligible for treatment offered by ACS you must meet the following criteria (the first two apply to the female partner only):
eligible patients must be screened before the female partner’s 42nd birthday
the female partner must have a BMI above 18.5 and below 30. Couples should be aware that a normal BMI is best for both partners.
both partners must be non-smoking (nicotine free) for at least three months before treatment and couples must continue to be non-smoking during treatment. This includes patches, gum and e cigarettes
couples where only one partner has legal parenthood of a child (or a biological child) can access NHS funded treatment as long as all other access criteria are met in full
same sex couples will not be eligible if they already have a child in the home and both have consented to legal parenthood of that child.
neither partner to have undergone voluntary sterilisation or who have undertaken reversal of sterilisation
couples must have been cohabiting in a stable relationship for a minimum of two years
both partners must abstain from illegal and abusive substances
both partners must be Methadone free for at least one year prior to treatment
neither partner should drink alcohol prior to or during the period of treatment
Possible investigations
Provided you are eligible for treatment at ACS, the most likely outcome of your first visit is that we will be able to recommend a treatment appropriate for you. Should you decide to proceed with that treatment, your name will be placed on the appropriate waiting list. However, sometimes it will be necessary for you to make several visits to ACS before we can recommend a treatment appropriate for you. Here are some examples of reasons why that might be the case:
blood tests need to be carried out but cannot be done during your first visit as they need to be taken at a particular time in your menstrual cycle.
an x-ray or scan needs to be carried out to see whether your fallopian tubes are blocked.
your partner needs to provide another semen sample to confirm the results from his first sample.
your BMI needs to be reduced to less than 30 or increased to greater than 18.5
Reaching the top of the waiting list
When your name reaches the top of the treatment waiting list (which may take up to 12 months from the date of your referral to ACS), we will send you a letter giving you your next two appointment dates.
The first of these appointments (ART appointment) will be dated 4 to 6 weeks after the date of the letter you received, and the second appointment (Post Screen appointment) 2 to 3 weeks after that.
ART Appointment
At the ART appointment (which takes about 30 minutes to complete) You will meet with a Specialist Fertility Nurse who will:
take samples for tests that are required (e.g. high vaginal swab, Anti Mullerian Home etc.)
give you some registration forms to complete prior to your next appointment.
you will also be given some Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority consent forms. It is important that you and your partner read over these forms and discuss the relevant issues that require consent, such as using your eggs and sperm to create embryos for treatment, freezing embryos, research and training. All of these issues can be discussed further with the specialist fertility nurse at your next appointment should you have any questions.
Post Screen Appointment
At the Post Screen appointment (which takes about 1 hour to complete) You will meet with a Specialist Fertility Nurse who will:
review your medical history
discuss your test results
discuss in detail your recommended treatment cycle
complete your consent forms (both treatment and HFEA)
review the forms that you have completed
discuss arrangements for you to start treatment
Depending on when you have your period, your treatment will begin 5 to 8 weeks later.
Please visit NHS Inform for the most recent advice on the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine and pregnancy. Here you will find information specific to those in the process of having fertility treatment.
Update Friday 11th March 2022
On the 7th January 2022 it was nationally agreed that fertility treatment for unvaccinated women would be deferred with immediate effect. This recommendation was reviewed, as planned, alongside emerging evidence of risk and the prevailing levels of COVID-19, during January and February 2022.
Data from PHS demonstrates that both COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations are stabilising, and a reduced proportion of cases are resulting in hospitalisations, following the emergence of Omicron as the dominant variant. While data specifically on pregnant women is very limited, the available data on unvaccinated individuals suggests that the risk of severe disease requiring hospital or critical care admission has reduced over the last four to six weeks. Therefore, it has been determined that fertility treatment for unvaccinated patients will no longer be deferred.
The JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) advice on vaccinating pregnant women, namely that pregnant women should now be considered as a clinical risk group and part of priority group 6 within the vaccination programme remains the same. Therefore, we will continue to fully inform patients, prior to their treatment, of the evidence concerning the safety of vaccines in those planning pregnancy, undergoing fertility treatment and the pregnant population in respect of maternal and perinatal outcomes, including evidence for continued vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 disease. Furthermore, we will continue to advise patients at the start of the fertility pathway, and at every opportunity thereafter (making every contact count) about the risks of non-vaccination.
In line with the reviews recommendations, we will also ask patients to sign an informed consent form acknowledging that they are aware of the risks prior to treatment, similar to other aspects of the fertility pathway.
The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and there is no evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility in women or men.
The Scottish Intensive Care Society Report, published on 13 October, highlighted that of the 89 COVID-19 positive pregnant women who were admitted to critical care between December 2020 and end September 2021, 88 were unvaccinated, 1 was partially vaccinated, and none were fully vaccinated. Wave 3 has seen increased numbers of pregnant women being admitted to hospital with moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms requiring critical care, with clinicians reporting a particular peak in September.
On 16 December, the Scottish Government, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Gregor Smith wrote to NHS Chief Executives highlighting recent updates to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice on vaccinating pregnant women, namely that pregnant women should now be considered as a clinical risk group and part of priority group 6 within the vaccination programme.
In addition to this, the latest evidence from the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) and the Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries across the UK (MBRRACE-UK) shows that unvaccinated pregnant women and their babies have died after admission to hospital with Covid-19 and 98 % of pregnant women in ICU with Covid-19 are unvaccinated. We also know that of all the women who have died during pregnancy or up to 6 weeks after birth, 88% of them were unvaccinated.
In light of the above evidence, the speed at which the Omicron variant is spreading through communities and the safety of pregnant women and their babies, it has been nationally agreed that fertility treatment for unvaccinated women will be deferred with immediate effect. We will review this decision during February 2022 or earlier if appropriate. Older women who have their treatment deferred, will have the deferral time added back on to their fertility journey to ensure that they do not lose out on eligibility for treatment due to their age.
Women who are within 12 weeks of having their second Covid vaccine dose or who have had their booster will continue their treatment as normal. For those who have recently had or are about to receive their booster vaccination, treatment can begin 10 days after the booster vaccination has been received. Positions on waiting lists will not be penalised if extra time is needed for vaccination.
Further information regarding the Omicron variant will continue to become available and any changes to current guidance will be communicated as soon as it becomes available.
For further information regarding covid vaccination in pregnancy and breastfeeding, please see the following link:
1. How long the treatment will be deferred / postponed?
Treatment will be deferred until February 2022 at which point the advice will be reviewed to determine if treatment can recommence of whether further deferral will be required.
2. If the risks are in pregnancy, why does my partner status matter?
If your partner gets infected you will be exposed to risk of infection. If you are a confirmed contact you will then need to isolate and will be unable to attend for monitoring/ treatment.
3. It is our personal choice to get vaccinate. Why are you forcing us to get vaccinated?
It is still your personal choice as to whether to have the vaccine, all we are saying is that we cannot proceed with treatment without evidence of vaccination due to the risks involved.
JCVI (Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) has put pregnant women in high risk category.
RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists), RCM (Royal College of Midwives), Scottish Government all are advising vaccination, including boosters for pregnant women.
4. Is it for all fertility treatment or only IVF?
The guidance relates to all fertility treatment and not IVF alone.
5. I am self-funding, why does policy apply to me?
As this is based on clear clinical advice around the risks for this group of women and the decision is based on protecting this group, this policy applies to all patients having treatment in Centres, not just NHS patients.
6. Will I have to provide evidence?
Yes. Please download the app. This will be checked when you come in to the centre.
7. If I wait, I will be more than 40. This will compromise my funding status
No this will not compromise your funding status. All patients having treatment deferred will have the deferral time added back on to their treatment journey to ensure that no patient loses out on treatment due to their age.
8. Can I go through stimulation and freeze embryos?
The same concerns around infection during treatment and subsequent cancellation of the cycle prior to egg collection apply.
9. Will there be further deferral?
We don’t know at this stage. The available data will be reviewed in February.
The Assisted Conception Service at Glasgow Royal Infirmary is a brand new state of the art facility providing assisted conception services to patients throughout the West of Scotland. The service has operated since 1983 but now benefits from a multi-million pound investment enabling the delivery of the latest innovative assisted conception technologies in modern purpose built accommodation.
The service treats NHS funded patients and those who choose to self fund via the Glasgow Royal Fertility Clinic.
All treatments we provide are NHS services and are individually tailored to meet your needs. In addition, in partnership with the Glasgow Royal Fertility Clinic, we provide services for those who wish to consider self funding their treatment. For more details, please visit the website at the Glasgow Royal Fertility Clinic website.
Please browse our pages for more information about the services we offer.
Hundreds of people in Scotland need the help of egg or sperm donors to give them the chance to become parents and the gift of starting a family.
The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland have launched the first national campaign of its kind to encourage people to become egg and sperm donors, with the four NHS tertiary Fertility Centres in Scotland (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow).
Donating your eggs or sperm is something that requires careful consideration, but if it’s right for you then you have the potential to give the joy of starting a family to those people in Scotland, who need the help of donors to become parents.
