For those familiar with NHS transition - what do I do now?

[Jeatyn]

I haven't been seen in a gender clinic in around a year and a half - I went once, got a T letter, 1 recommendation for a GRC and a surgery referral (for those not familiar with my story I basically fast tracked privately to get to this point)

They never sent me any letters for further appointments, I was fine with this, I got what I needed. They have since moved premises and changed numbers - I have no idea where they are or how to contact them; as you probably know NHS clinics don't really welcome people calling them up, a central office sends you appointments and you turn up

I still need a few things sorting out - how do I go about getting on the list for a hysto at this point? I'm assuming that similar to top surgery, I will need a referral from them.

Will I need to be referred by my GP again? Or can I just straight up ask my GP? I've asked 100 GP's about a hysto over the years and they have been pretty adamant that it's too drastic for someone my age blah blah but maybe it'll be different now that I'm so far in transition.

I am not completely happy with my HRT, I feel my shots need to be moved closer together. (recommended is one every 12-14 weeks, I am on 16 weeks, purely because my appointments got messed up right at the beginning and they thought "meh, good enough" I want to be on 13 week cycles, would settle for 14) My endo has not scheduled my next appointment until next December (saw him 6 months ago). My GP is not comfortable moving my shots closer together without his say so. Every time I've asked him about it, he's said no. What do I do from here? I know my body, my levels back up my feelings - why are they so reluctant?

I also need 1 more recommendation for the Gender Recognition Certificate - I'm going to ask my surgeon about this when I have my next appointment; and hope he knows what I'm talking about. If he asks me what he needs to write and who to send it to I have no idea. All I know is I need a GRC to get a new birth certificate....which then means I can get married in the proper gender. That's the end goal, and all the paper work needed for it is very confusing.

I think once all that is sorted out, I will consider my transition "finished" - all done and dusted, I don't think I'm forgetting anything but feel free to throw in any suggestions

[AdamMLP]

I'd have thought your best bet was to call your GIC (stuff it if they don't like it) and ask about getting an appointment because it's been a long time and explain what you want a GRC and hysto.  I'm pretty sure there are contact details at the end of this document if your GIC is one that's listed: http://issuu.com/bethseymour/docs/nhs_england_interim_gender_protocol/1 but I don't have the hard copy on me and my internet is too slow to load it at the moment.

If you think your shots are too far apart then also contact your endo and ask for your appointment to be brought forward.  The only way to deal with the NHS really is to keep bugging them and pushing them.  It's free in money, but costly in time.

[Stella Stanhope]

Looks like I'll have to begin bugging them again, too. I get the feeling that they hope I'll just disappear, as they don't seem too keen on my making appointments.

[Jeatyn]

Looks like I'll have to begin bugging them again, too. I get the feeling that they hope I'll just disappear, as they don't seem too keen on my making appointments.

This is so true, I've had to fight and pester and call up over and over and over again to get anything done. Don't get me wrong I'm super grateful that I don't have to pay for anything but oh man I wish I had the funds to have continued getting treated privately.

I was supposed to be having a post op appointment in a few days, I just got a letter today saying that it's been moved to April. It's like, really? Surely slicing someone open needs checking up on xD They must just be assuming that if they haven't seen me in the emergency room then everything is fine. It is fine, but that's besides the point, I also wanted to speak to my surgeon about the GRC letter and I have to wait longer now

I'd have thought your best bet was to call your GIC (stuff it if they don't like it) and ask about getting an appointment because it's been a long time and explain what you want a GRC and hysto.  I'm pretty sure there are contact details at the end of this document if your GIC is one that's listed: http://issuu.com/bethseymour/docs/nhs_england_interim_gender_protocol/1 but I don't have the hard copy on me and my internet is too slow to load it at the moment.

If you think your shots are too far apart then also contact your endo and ask for your appointment to be brought forward.  The only way to deal with the NHS really is to keep bugging them and pushing them.  It's free in money, but costly in time.

Thanks for that link, my clinic is in fact on there....no contact number but I could google the name to find one. Though I am dubious about calling, The address listed on that document is slightly different to the one I've managed to find....and is listed as a place that helps older people and with rehabilitation. I'll feel a right idiot if I call and they have no idea what I'm talking about

[AdamMLP]

Sorry I thought that link had the telephone numbers on there as well, I was probably thinking of this one: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Transhealth/Pages/local-gender-identity-clinics.aspx

I'd call them anyway, likelihood is that they use the same building for different things instead of having a dedicated building for each service they're trying to provide in the area.  Where I am CAMHS shares a building with an abortion clinic.  Even if you get the wrong department they'll probably be able to either connect you through to them, or give you the number that you need.  It sounds like you really need to give them some hassle and get them to sort out seeing you, especially if they're constantly putting off things which are important for your health.  The only other way to get their number if you're not comfortable calling them up when you're not 100% sure would be to go through any old paperwork looking for numbers.