David Crosby, Head of Department of Reproductive Medicine at The National Maternity Hospital.
Dr. David Crosby is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with a special interest in Reproductive Medicine, Surgery and Genetics. He is a Clinical Lecturer and Assistant Professor at University College Dublin. Dr. Crosby graduated from Trinity College Dublin with first class honours in medicine and psychiatry and was awarded his Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2020. He was awarded a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) from University College Dublin in 2019. He received the British Fertility Society Young Clinician Award in 2020 and the prestigious RCOG Harold Malkin Prize in 2021. He has over 35 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has presented research to national and international learned societies. He has recently undertaken a clinical fellowship in Reproductive Genetics and Genomics at New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University and was awarded European Certification in Medical Genetics and Genomics and an MSc in Genomic Medicine with Distinction in 2021.
1. When should I ask my GP for a referral to the Fertility Hub?
We recommend you ask your GP for a referral to the Fertility hub if:
- The female partner’s age is 36 and over AND you have been trying to conceive for 6 months or more
- The female partner’s age is less than 36 AND you have been trying to conceive for over 12 months
- There is a known cause of infertility or a history of predisposing factors for infertility
2. My GP referred me to The Fertility Hub, what’s next?
Once we receive your referral from your GP, it is triaged by the Fertility Hub Team.
If it is accepted, then you will receive a fertility pack in the mail. You should expect to receive this pack within 3 weeks of your GP sending in your referral.
If you are not accepted to The Fertility Hub, your GP will receive a letter explaining this decision and they will follow up with you.
3. I have received a fertility pack, what do I do now?
This fertility pack contains male and female questionnaires that need to be returned to us, along with an Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), thyroid function tests, full blood count and rubella blood test, and a chlamydia swab for the female partner and a semen analysis from the male partner. These tests must have been completed in the last 12 months.
If you have not had these tests, we can do the blood tests for you, and your partner can use the form in the pack to have a semen analysis completed at Merrion Fertility Clinic free of charge.
Please note, we cannot place you on the waiting list for an appointment until we have all of these documents and test results back.
If you have had previous investigations at a private clinic, please send your ‘summary of care’ to us when you are returning your questionnaires. Your ’Summary of Care’ is a summary of the tests and treatment you have had.
You can send these by email to fertilityhub@nmh.ie or post to: The NMH fertility hub, 60 Mount street lower, Dublin 2.
4. When will I get an appointment to see a doctor?
Once we have received all of the requested documents and results back, you are placed on a waiting list for an appointment. You will receive a letter in the post to confirm your appointment date approximately 6 weeks prior to the appointment.
5. What happens at my clinic appointment?
When you and your partner come to your fertility hub clinic appointment, you will meet with one of our team. They will go through both of your medical histories, review any tests you have had done and recommend any further investigations if required. They will be able to answer any questions you have.
After this appointment, if further tests or investigations are recommended, we will follow up with you in the clinic again after you have had these completed.
6. What happens if AHR fertility treatment is recommended?
If at your consultation with us you are recommended AHR treatment, we will assess if you are eligible for public funding.
If you meet the criteria for public AHR treatment set out by NWIHP and the HSE we will refer you to a private fertility clinic of your choice for treatment.
This private fertility clinic will contact you after they receive your referral. Generally, you will have a consultation within 6 weeks and commence your treatment within 3 months.
7. How do I get in contact with The Fertility Hub at The NMH?
You can email us at fertilityhub@nmh.ie or phone us on 01 637 3275 between 8am – 4pm, Monday to Friday. We cannot take calls when we have patients with us, so if you come through to a voicemail, please leave a message with your details and we will call you back.