[M2F] - Anyone from England?? What are the Procedures???

[Lazarus]

Hi everyone.

Currently I'm in the northwest of England; despite being told by my doctors they need to refer me onto a "mental health specialist". Several months on, I'm still waiting... Recently, I contact my GP to check and again, they are still saying "We have indeed referred you" but the wait is killing me... So my question is, are there anyone here who's familiar with the British GID procedures?? And is there anyway to 'kick start' the processes? I don't wanna be 40 before I start hormones, that'll suck!!

It's a shame as an adult I still need to be guided by so-called professionals.
...Whatever happened to "this is your life, do as you pleased"??


Laz 

[Devlyn]

I think that idea went in Boston Harbor with the tea! Hugs, Devlyn

[Lazarus]

I think that idea went in Boston Harbor with the tea! Hugs, Devlyn

Honestly it does my head in!! It's just sooo damn frustrating. Medical professionals here are more than exceptionally happy to prescribe various anti-depressants to prevent me from falling off the globe and I keep telling them I'm not depressed, they don't listen!! Yet, ask them for anyone else the system goes to the ->-bleeped-<-ter! If anything, kinda thankful that I'm occupying two very different jobs, helping kill time...

[Naturally Blonde]

Hi everyone.

Currently I'm in the northwest of England; despite being told by my doctors they need to refer me onto a "mental health specialist". Several months on, I'm still waiting... Recently, I contact my GP to check and again, they are still saying "We have indeed referred you" but the wait is killing me... So my question is, are there anyone here who's familiar with the British GID procedures?? And is there anyway to 'kick start' the processes? I don't wanna be 40 before I start hormones, that'll suck!!

It's a shame as an adult I still need to be guided by so-called professionals.
...Whatever happened to "this is your life, do as you pleased"??


Laz 

I'm from the U.K and yes the U.K NHS system sucks big time!  try going to see a private psychiatrist consultant first to get started. I can PM you details if you like?

Honestly it does my head in!! It's just sooo damn frustrating. Medical professionals here are more than exceptionally happy to prescribe various anti-depressants to prevent me from falling off the globe and I keep telling them I'm not depressed, they don't listen!!

I suffer badly with severe depression and everyone tells me including my sister to get anti-depressants but the NHS won't prescribe me any! 

[spacial]

Your GP is just being obstructive. Happens sometimes.

The only way to deal with this is to find a load of information and send it to him. Back that up by contacting some official organisations to get their backing.

http://www.transgenderzone.com/

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Transhealth/Pages/Transoverview.aspx

http://theangels.co.uk/

http://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/

It's sad that these things happen. I'm sure some of our US cousins will be more than happy to cite this to justify why they should have nothing at all. But the reality is, resources will always have limitations. It simply isn't possible nor helpful to give everyone what they want on demand.

But you do need to nag. Politely and remember, he has over 50,000 patients on his books, possibly twice that number. So, write carefully worded letters, asking him if what he's done. Point out that this is the current information. Look around Susans' and elsewhere for more. Make sure the information relates to the UK. Again, I'm sorry to say, a lot of stuff that comes out of the US is deeply suspect.

You're not beaten by a long shot. But you do need to learn to play the game.

[Naturally Blonde]

Make sure the information relates to the UK. Again, I'm sorry to say, a lot of stuff that comes out of the US is deeply suspect.

I'm sure our American cousins will disagree with your comments! try looking closer to home to see what's deeply suspect!

[Nicolette]

I suffer badly with severe depression and everyone tells me including my sister to get anti-depressants but the NHS won't prescribe me any!

That's bizarre! I went to my GP to get something for stage fright and they immediately offered me anti-depressants. I refused and went with betablockers instead, because of the side effects of benzos. I don't think stage fright is life threatening, but depression certainly is. They have strange priorities.

[spacial]

I also want you to understand that I do appreciate and sympathise with your problems getting treatment for your depression. Like many other, I have also battled with depression for many years, with little or no support.

I have to say I am somewhat disturbed that Felicitá was apparently offered benzodiazapines. Especially for the condition for which she was seeking support. But I can assure you that you and I are better untreated than to have that stuff. It works short term then addiction sets in.



Edit.

I have removed most of the response I made here. It was inappropriate. I apologise to any who read it.

[ShawnaB]

I'm in the UK and my referal to the mental health services took around 6-8 weeks to hear from them.  The actual appointment was for a month after that (end of May for me).  I ws beginning to doubt it, but it did happen.  It also depends on your PCT - as each PCT will allocate more/less resources to whatever they decide.  So, that means it may take longer or shorter for you to get your screening consultation scheduled.

When you go, be sure to get a general mental health check.  Tell them this.  "GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH CHECK" - probably best not to yell, but be firm and make sure they don't try and start counselling or whatever.  Once they've signed off that you're not looney, then they can refer you to the nearest GiC - and it's the GIC that wants a clean general mental health check.

Then for HRT on the NHS, go full time, do a year of RLE and then they'll consider you for HRT.  There are ways around that but I do not condone them, so I'm not listing them.  Then after a year of HRT, you'll be eligible for consideration for surgery should you wish to go down that route.

OR, go private.  I don't know what the options are in the north east, but London has a few options and will usually follow the SOC rules/guidelines pretty closely.  You can always switch back into NHS system without penalty for this.  You'll get two appointments on the NHS before you having to commit to the GIC programme if I'm not mistken.  They will likely do their own re-assessment of everything and that might piss you off   (one woman I know had her prescription significantly cut back by the NHS when she switched systems - but that's a whole other story in itself)

Private consultation in London may not be so bad if you can make it to London.  The intial consultation and first follow-ups may happen relatively quickly - so plan to stick around for a couple of weeks if you can.  Normal follow-ups though could be as infrequently as every 3-6 months so there's a lot less travel involved.  If you can handle the extra cost, time and travel, it may be worth it - but that's up to you.

I've started both routes, so when/if I ever hear from the GIC in London, I'll have that option available to me too.

Hope this helps

[Lazarus]

I'm from the U.K and yes the U.K NHS system sucks big time!  try going to see a private psychiatrist consultant first to get started. I can PM you details if you like?

I suffer badly with severe depression and everyone tells me including my sister to get anti-depressants but the NHS won't prescribe me any!

That'll be awesome! Many thanks

[Lazarus]

I also want you to understand that I do appreciate and sympathise with your problems getting treatment for your depression. Like many other, I have also battled with depression for many years, with little or no support.

I have to say I am somewhat disturbed that Felicitá was apparently offered benzodiazapines. Especially for the condition for which she was seeking support. But I can assure you that you and I are better untreated than to have that stuff. It works short term then addiction sets in.

Howdy Spacial,

I didn't read your original post therefore I'm not comment to it's regards.  As to the above, I solely agree!! Not taking antidepressants drugs is always going to be better than taking them!! Thankfully my eyes were opened by a few caring friends who took me in and helped me I stop using, took a while and coming off was way more difficult than suppressing my feelings. Dealing with my emotions took a while however I'm still feeling trapped, only now they're not mental walls but physical barriers hindering my escape.


...sometimes I wish I'm Houdini

[Louise Scott]

Hi everyone.

Currently I'm in the northwest of England; despite being told by my doctors they need to refer me onto a "mental health specialist". Several months on, I'm still waiting... Recently, I contact my GP to check and again, they are still saying "We have indeed referred you" but the wait is killing me... So my question is, are there anyone here who's familiar with the British GID procedures?? And is there anyway to 'kick start' the processes? I don't wanna be 40 before I start hormones, that'll suck!!

It's a shame as an adult I still need to be guided by so-called professionals.
...Whatever happened to "this is your life, do as you pleased"??


Laz 


Hi Laz ,

I'm also in th north west of the uk, and currently looking into transition. You might find this link usefull
http://tvchix.com/forum/topic.php?tid=98755

Hope this helps,

Louise xx

[ffern]

hey, north west too here (something in the water?)  I havent been to my doctor about gendery stuff yet so not sure how much help anything i can say will be, but getting refered for depression took about 6 week or something, and they prescribed me stuff way before that, but the most important thing seemed to be knowing what you want and being able to explain stuff to them. or failing that, ask for another doctor to see you .. some seem more  competent in some areas than others ( and some dont seem to have a clue)

[Siobhan]

So how do you start the private route then?i dont fancy doing that real life test before I get any real treatment.

[ShawnaB]

So how do you start the private route then?i dont fancy doing that real life test before I get any real treatment.

Google around for local gender specialists, or if you can travel to London where there are a number of different options.  In no particular order of anything, nor of endorsement, Dr. Michael Perring, Dr. Richard Curtis and Dr. Stuart Lorimer have private practices in London.  Read around the forums here, google them, ask your friends, then pick up the phone and make an appointment

My initial appointment was scheduled on my first call for a week and a half later.  If you've already been working with a therapist who meets SoC requirements for HRT recommendations, then great.  If not they should all be able to point you to someone who does.

Good Luck!

[Lazarus]

Please excuse my lateness.

Recently I did some research for a local NHS shrink, discovered one at the MRI thought their waiting list is about a year! Seriously? That long?? WTH. I kindly explained my predicament, expressing I'm sick of being put on the back-burner whilst doctors find the balls to do actual work! I know there's many huddles to jump and they all entail extensive waiting times. Then kindly asked for alternative routes for a seeking a therapist... they suggested I go check:

http://www.cosrt.org.uk/

also, one might wish to search here
(by postcode) http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/

I still not being in contacted with my GP, however they must do the initial referring even for private treatments... what teh... so much sucky bs.

Good Luck!

[Siobhan]

Thanks, Im going to check that list out, cant see if any specialise in gid issues though, or even do that at all.

[ShawnaB]

You can also try http://www.pinktherapy.com/ takes a bit more time to sift through everyone listed but they also put up their relevant experience too (so you can find someone who's actually lived it too and didn't just read about it in a book)

[Jamie D]

Socialized medicine 

[kelly_aus]

Socialized medicine 

It's done me OK so far.. Admittedly I'm in Australia though..