CAMH (Toronto) - Change of RLE policy. Woo-HOO!!!

[Colleen Ireland]

(CAMH's website is so user unfriendly.)

Yeah, THAT'S no joke.  And some things about the place are still less-than-wonderful, like they won't tell you ANYTHING, and the intake process still takes forever, but if you stick with it, you'll be fine.  And get used to waiting, lol.  But really, it's not so bad.  Everyone I've met there is very good and friendly.  Mine has been a very positive experience so far.

[rachl]

For unknown reasons the outdated page is still online, and while nothing on the CAMH site links through to it, it can still be found from google.

Oh, and here is the actual statement about the changes. Finally found it. (CAMH's website is so user unfriendly.)

http://www.camh.net/About_CAMH/Guide_to_CAMH/Mental_Health_Programs/General_Psychiatry_Program/April_2011_announcement_change.html

Yeah, I'll blame Google then (but really, CAMH for having that page still available). Here's a question: CAMH requires 3 months RLE before they (?) prescribe hormones, but can one get HRT from one's therapist (through an MD or endocrinologist) without that step? I'd imagine that the answer is "yes." 

Thanks.

[Colleen Ireland]

Yes, you don't need CAMH to get hormones.  Just see a therapist for a few months, get a letter, get your doc to refer you to an endo, get on HRT!  CAMH will not fault you for being on HRT before they would "approve it".  I had my first appointment with them Jan 11 2011.  I got on HRT the end of March that year.  In May, I got a letter from them giving me an appointment "For possible approval for hormones".  I wrote back and said I'd been on hormones since the end of March.  Presently I got a different letter with an appointment for six-month follow-up.  No problem.