Referrals
Referral pathway and clinical criteria for IV iron infusion therapy.
Refer a patient
IVW Medical Services provides referral-based intravenous iron infusion therapy for patients with confirmed iron deficiency where oral iron is ineffective, not tolerated, or where rapid correction is clinically indicated.
Referrals are accepted from:
- General Practitioners
- Consultants
- Specialist clinicians
- Allied health professionals
All referrals are clinically reviewed prior to treatment.
How to refer
- 1Complete the referral form
- 2Attach recent blood results (Hb and ferritin)
- 3Send securely to referrals@ivwmedical.co.uk
Secure Email
referrals@ivwmedical.co.ukPatient Enquiries (via GP invitation)
Patients are typically referred by their GP or specialist.
Patients who already have recent blood test results confirming iron deficiency may contact the service to request clinical review.
Treatment is provided only where clinically appropriate and in line with established clinical criteria.
If suitable, a treatment summary can be shared with the patient’s GP to support continuity of care.
Patient Pathway
Direct Access Clinical Review
Confirm existing iron deficiency
Initial clinical triage
Detailed assessment
GP notification (optional)
Clinical suitability
Intravenous iron may be appropriate where:
- ferritin is low
- iron deficiency anaemia is present
- oral iron is not tolerated
- oral iron has been ineffective
- rapid correction is clinically required
All patients undergo clinical screening prior to treatment.
Clinical governance
IVW Medical Services operates under CQC regulation for treatment of disease, disorder or injury.
Treatment is delivered by appropriately trained clinicians following structured protocols.
Communication with referring clinicians is maintained where appropriate.
GP information
Patients are typically referred via primary or secondary care. Patients may also self-fund treatment following clinical review where recent blood results confirm iron deficiency.
All patients are assessed against the same clinical eligibility criteria prior to treatment.
The service does not provide intravenous therapy outside recognised clinical indications.
Treatment cost
Intravenous iron infusion therapy is provided on a self-funded basis following clinical referral or assessment.
Cost per infusion
£300
- ✓ clinical review of referral and blood results
- ✓ intravenous iron medication
- ✓ administration by a registered clinician
- ✓ monitoring during and after infusion
- ✓ communication with referring clinician where appropriate
Clinical criteria for IV iron therapy
| Clinical scenario | Typical indicators |
|---|---|
| Iron deficiency anaemia | low haemoglobin with low ferritin |
| Iron deficiency without anaemia | low ferritin with symptoms |
| Intolerance to oral iron | gastrointestinal side effects |
| Poor response to oral iron | persistent deficiency despite supplementation |
| Need for rapid correction | pre-operative optimisation |
| Chronic conditions | IBD, CKD, heavy menstrual bleeding |
| Malabsorption | coeliac disease, bariatric surgery |
Typical laboratory indicators
| Marker | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Ferritin | <30 µg/L (general population) |
| Ferritin with inflammation | <100 µg/L may still indicate deficiency |
| Haemoglobin | below reference range |
| Transferrin saturation | <20% |
Situations requiring caution
- Active infection
- Known hypersensitivity to IV iron
- Iron overload disorders
- First trimester pregnancy