Why is the NHS so slow :(

[Erin H]

Ok so like I've been to my GP she like referred me to a psychologist place and then the psychologist lady has referred me to the London gender clinic.
But its been like 3 nearly 4 months and i haven't heard a single word from them 
So like does anyone in the UK know how long it takes ?
Should i go private for the moment to get onto hormones quicker ?

Salisha x x

[Naturally Blonde]

Ok so like I've been to my GP she like referred me to a psychologist place and then the psychologist lady has referred me to the London gender clinic.
But its been like 3 nearly 4 months and i haven't heard a single word from them 
So like does anyone in the UK know how long it takes ?
Should i go private for the moment to get onto hormones quicker ?

Salisha x x

I had a very bad time with the NHS when I started my transition which was over ten years ago now. I was eventually sent to the NHS London gender clinic and I was there for two years and they still wouldn't let me go on HRT. So in the end I went private to start on HRT.  I personally regret going through the NHS system but others seem to be ok with it and it may have improved in recent years? The problem with the NHS they will give you the run around.

[Erin H]

I had a very bad time with the NHS when I started my transition which was over ten years ago now. I was eventually sent to the NHS London gender clinic and I was there for two years and they still wouldn't let me go on HRT. So in the end I went private to start on HRT.  I personally regret going through the NHS system but others seem to be ok with it and it may have improved in recent years? The problem with the NHS they will give you the run around.

AHHH i'm scared of the NHS now, i don't want them to like drag it on for years. I have read about this private clinic in London called like Transhealth (sex change clinic). If you have heard about it do you know if it is good or do you know any other private places ?
Why can the NHS be so troublesome when it comes to the gender identity clinic   

Salisha x x

[Naturally Blonde]

AHHH i'm scared of the NHS now, i don't want them to like drag it on for years. I have read about this private clinic in London called like Transhealth (sex change clinic). If you have heard about it do you know if it is good or do you know any other private places ? Why can the NHS be so troublesome when it comes to the gender identity clinic   

Salisha x x

When I started out Transhealth didn't exist and I saw Russell Reid who has now retired. I am grateful that I went private to start on HRT as the NHS tried to stall me for as long as possible.

Richard Curtis of Transhealth is probably now the most experienced in this field. http://www.transhealth.co.uk/

I don't like the NHS Gender Clinic and I don't like people trying to control my life.

[Erin H]

It looks like i'm going to go private, if I go the NHS way i will probably be like 100 years old until i get onto hormones.
I even phoned up the NHS clinic like a week ago to ask how long it will take and they haven't even got back to me :/

Thank you for the advice 

Salisha  x x

[Naturally Blonde]

Please let me know how you get on Salisha! x 

[justmeinoz]

"Why is the NHS so slow?"   
Because it is the NHS?

My family were on holiday in the UK some years ago, and we had to take our daughter to the doctor.  We were in a village a couple of miles outside Bath (Box, lovely place), but had to drive 20 miles to Chippenham because we were on the wrong side of a line on the map.

But then it has only taken our own  Medicare system 8 weeks to get me a new card, on the second attempt, after my name change.  Civil servants? Ha! they are not civil and they don't serve.

Karen.

[pebbles]

I've been waiting 4 years for help from the NHS they vary from mildly disintrested in helping me to completely hostile.  after 2 years I started self medding hormones, I was supposedly refered to the GIC back in january after seeing the doctors again in september still not heard from them.

I honestly don't think any help is coming... All I ever got was a single blood test that only checked liver function didn't even check Hormone levels...  my faith in them is actually zero.

[Erin H]

I've been waiting 4 years for help from the NHS they vary from mildly disintrested in helping me to completely hostile.  after 2 years I started self medding hormones, I was supposedly refered to the GIC back in january after seeing the doctors again in september still not heard from them.

I honestly don't think any help is coming... All I ever got was a single blood test that only checked liver function didn't even check Hormone levels...  my faith in them is actually zero.

Ok i am definitely going private, i refuse to wait any longer and with me still being in puberty i'm like on a time limit here.
My GP is really nice, unfortunately its the NHS which is the problem

Salisha x x

[Skyanne]

Well, my GP's have been great, but the NHS process is rediculous. Thankfully my private Endo is fantastic, and I have the money to just ignore the NHS entirely.

[Erin H]

Well, my GP's have been great, but the NHS process is rediculous. Thankfully my private Endo is fantastic, and I have the money to just ignore the NHS entirely.

ohhhh like what private place are you with because i'm looking for one at the moment, i was thinking about that Transhealth in London.

Salisha x x

[Jayne]

I saw my GP over 6 months ago, I had an appointment with a psychiatrist within a month & have been waiting since then for my PCT to approve funding, I spoke to the woman who chases up funding last week & she told me that Bristol PCT is one of the slowest for getting approval but almost always gives approval.

I explained to her how much i've lost since coming out & that I didn't want to lose so much for nothing, when I told her that I was going to lose my dog because of this I broke down in tears, she assured me that she will do everything possible to make sure funding is approved.

The waiting for faceless civil servants to decide my fate is a nightmare but I wouldn't dare fault the staff i've spoken to so far as they've all been fabulous.
Unfortunately private treatment is out of the question so I have to put up with the waiting & endless hoops to jump through with the NHS.

[saraharmstrong]

I think it is possible to go for a surgery in Thailand, some doctors there have extensive experiences about Sex change surgery. The cost is lower than in anywhere else but the services there are excellent. I have read a lot of information about that. I think the most important thing is to approve you are female first, i mean psychiatrically. Dressing is an important issue.

[Skyanne]

ohhhh like what private place are you with because i'm looking for one at the moment, i was thinking about that Transhealth in London.

Salisha x x

Dr Nick Vaughan at the Brighton Nuffield Hospital is my Endo, he's been really good.

[wallflower]

I live in Wales and got diagnosed with GID 2 years ago (MTF) by an NHS psychiatrist who shortly after sent off my medical records to NHS Wales for funding and to get me an appointment at Charing Cross. Despite the mess that is the NHS let alone NHS Wales I have an appointment at Charing Cross in December for Hormone therapy, 2 years 3 months after first being seen. I nor my psychiatrist heard any word from them until I got an A4 letter out of the blue in June of this year.

So don't lose all hope the NHS can occasionally work... I think/hope!

[Nurse With Wound]

I just got a letter from the therapist for my area saying it'll be 18 months before he can see me.

[Erin H]

Dr Nick Vaughan at the Brighton Nuffield Hospital is my Endo, he's been really good.

Ohhh so like would he be able to prescribe hormones etc, like how would i contact him/hospital to ask about the whole thing.
Sorry for asking lots of question hehe.

Salisha x x

[Erin H]

Oh god the NHS sounds like it works at the pace of a snail, i don't want to wait like years

I think private is the only way :/

Salisha x x