'Crucial' Chesterfield Royal Hospital service moved to Derby for 'interim' period

Hospital trust bosses say the andrology, or semen analysis service, which is provided on-site by Derbyshire Pathology, has been unable to restart since coronavirus pandemic restrictions were eased.

The Royal says appointments will be available for families to attend clinics in Derby and apologised for being unable to provide a ‘doorstep service’ at the present time.

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One resident, who asked not to be named, described the service as vitally important for couples trying to have a baby.

“Up to a quarter of couples face infertility and one of the reasons this isn’t well known is because of the shame couples feel in talking about such a taboo topic,” he said.

"Furthermore, given the toxic way masculinity is presented in our culture, poor semen analysis can be devastating and there’s absolutely no support to manage this.”

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A spokesperson for Chesterfield Royal Hospital said: “The fertility service was placed on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic but came back on-line in July.

"However the Andrology (semen analysis) aspect is provided to us on site by Derbyshire Pathology.

"They have some operational issues at the moment, which has meant they are not able to restore this part of our speciality.

“As an interim solution we have been able to partner with the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton to offer andrology services on our behalf.

"This arrangement will continue until it can be fully restored here at Chesterfield.

"It has just been agreed, so the team here will shortly start to contact patients to offer them the opportunity to attend clinics at Derby – so that their fertility pathway can continue to progress in a timely way.

“We are sorry that at the moment we cannot provide a service ‘on the doorstep’ and appreciate there may be some inconveniences to people with regards to travel.

"We hope however that the ability to offer this option will be an assurance for those awaiting this crucial diagnostic.”

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