We explore the magic at the Fertility Fusion Clinic in North West UK, and see how their Team create success for their patients.
The conversation is already ten minutes old – before the flood gates open.
The young lady, in her mid thirties, has been biting her tongue for some moments before there is the first visible welling in her eyes. The girls at Fertility Fusion are experienced in softly opening a dialogue but time is not on their side. They have to get to the point. Like so many couples, this elegant woman has travelled for more than three hours to attend this Conference, for her moment of discussion with people who can make a difference, because for her too – time is not on her side. The Fertility Fusion clinical manager, a younger lady – gently steers the woman away to somewhere quieter;
“Let’s have a chat”. She says.
For most people, the magic of conception is clouded and clothed in happy images, of intangibles, of Storks, or “twinkles in eyes”. This only serves to accentuate the feeling of disappointment when for so many women and men – it just doesn’t work out. Whole relationships crumble under this augmented pressure. Couples that attend a fertility conference are brave and are there for a reason.
Fertility is big business. At a time when CCGs are increasingly walking away from IVF financing, the “fertility” industry has been quietly growing and expanding, with a plethora of contradictory information, all aimed at couples who are emotionally ready to part with large sums of money to whichever expert reaches out to them.
The Fertility Fusion approach is noticeably different. First – there is no discussion of money – in fact the opposite. Once the opening scene-setting has been established – “where are you at the moment?” – the clinicians look at what NHS funding is indeed available. For some couples, this is an issue, and whilst Fertility Fusion might indeed be in the business of delivering dreams, we are now at the practical end of the discussion, almost in reverse from what people expect.
Couples need their hand held. The girls at Fertility Fusion patiently explore the clinical options – and are straight and to the point. Couples need to know factually their options, and if this involves bad news, there is no value in hiding that. Individuals need to be told the dangers of their lifestyle. For some patients – they would prefer to be in denial. The Team at Fusion are years experienced in this fine balancing act of how to deliver information.
And this translates into measurable success stories. Fusion Fertility is currently the most successful of regional clinics, and couples and individuals come form across the UK to be treated.
On the opening conference day when I was there – there is a steady trickle and then a flow, of couples, of same sex partners, of single women, of confused men. And I am a guy, a voyeur – a disinterested onlooker, from a distance. For these discussions at heart, are woman to woman.
The men shake my hand warmly at the end of their discussions with the Fertility Fusion team – even though I have done nothing and neither have they. They want to be involved but they do not know how to. Shaking my hand gives them a value.
I have to leave to get my train. My daughter calls me; “Can I borrow your Volvo?”. I love my Volvo – but this is not the time to get picky. “Yes of course dear; I filled it up last night”.
I am a lucky guy.
Fertility Fusion can be contacted at; fertilityfusion.co.uk
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