Should I be worried?... NHS

[kelly_aus]

I'm sorry, I probably can't help much because your system seems so brutal compared to the US system. And from the posts it seems Australia is living in the 1600's. But the problem seems to be is that you have no other choice but that system your in, which sucks, so you might just have to play their game for a short time. I don't really know a solution for you, sorry.

This shows a distinct lack of knowledge about things in Aus..

Here in Adelaide, it's 3 sessions with a therapist and you have your hormone letter, which is hardly onerous..

[Tori]

This shows a distinct lack of knowledge about things in Aus..

Here in Adelaide, it's 3 sessions with a therapist and you have your hormone letter, which is hardly onerous..

I agree. Lack of Aussie knowledge noted.

Here though, NO sessions required. So your wait may seem eternal to us Yanks.

E=MC 2 ( how do I make the squared symbol on my phone)

It is all relative.

[foreversarah]

I'm currently at the therapist stage too in he NHS. The message I got from them was less. 'We're going to tell you if you really are trans or not.' But more 'We're going to help you decide if transition is right for you.' So I wouldn't worry on that aspect, unless I'm wrong!

[nikkit72]

This shows a distinct lack of knowledge about things in Aus..

Here in Adelaide, it's 3 sessions with a therapist and you have your hormone letter, which is hardly onerous..

Careful, you may start a mass exodus..You've got better weather too 

I'm currently at the therapist stage too in he NHS. The message I got from them was less. 'We're going to tell you if you really are trans or not.' But more 'We're going to help you decide if transition is right for you.' So I wouldn't worry on that aspect, unless I'm wrong!

I would not worry unless there is obvious evidence of delay. As long as there is progress you should have nothing to worry about. From your profile, you are in Norfolk ? By many accounts is that not the Trans capitol of Blighty ? Hopefully you are in good hands. Good luck and swift progress.

[RosieD]

H, H, H, Honeypot! (another amazing handle name, haha, that's brilliant) The "NHS is like an elderly elephant" comment, is spot on! That's a great analogy. Poor elephant I say. As for work legislation, its great that the government has put this legislation into place, but ultimately it won't do diddly squat t stop you getting the sack. And there's always a hundred reasons why you can sack someone, and give those reasons instead of the real reasons.

That's what HR departments are for sadly. But, hey ho, best to be positive.

There's a story related to my handle that I will share with you (via) PM if you're interested.  It's not a terribly interesting story though so I wouldn't be in a rush if I were you.

Anywho, back to the work thing.  I have managed a shop in the dim and distant past and have a senior enough position at the moment that I need to have some idea of how employment law works.  If you have been working for your current employer for two years or more they can't just sack you.  In some places it is less but two years is the longest the law allows.  After that there must be two formal warnings before a final written warning before you can be asked to leave.  This is leaving aside any gross misconduct that will see you out the door immediately but you have to be really bad before gross misconduct applies.  Even with gross misconduct your employer would need to have evidence that will withstand an industrial tribunal unless they want to end up quite a bit poorer and with a load of negative publicity.

At each of the formal warnings meetings you are entitled to have someone else present which could be a union rep if you have one.

The purpose of the HR department is to prevent the company falling afoul of employment law.  If HR know that you are being treated for GD then the equality act 2010 kicks in and you are classed as a vulnerable person.  This places a lot of extra responsibilities on your employer and they would have to be a bit stupid to then try and get rid of you.

Rosie.

[Danniella]

I recently got caught up in a policy change on the Scottish NHS.

Basically a funding acquisition change, that requires another step PRIOR to referral to the GIC and thus getting on the waiting list.

I had been on the waiting list for 4 months, only to receive a phonecall to be told "Ehm...sorry, we have to take you off the list...yeah you now need to go and see this psych for a few months before you can be put back on the list...yes you will need to go back to the start of the waiting list...no I don't hate you...why are you crying?"

Suuuuuuuuucks, but I guess it's the price you pay for getting it all for free

My Psych did mention that there are hidden "Urgent" referrals that can by made in extreme circumstances, and that my situation may warrant that, the Urgent waiting list should be at least half the length of the standard one.

So maybe it's worth investigating if there is one/if you could get on the Urgent list in England?

[foreversarah]

I would not worry unless there is obvious evidence of delay. As long as there is progress you should have nothing to worry about. From your profile, you are in Norfolk ? By many accounts is that not the Trans capitol of Blighty ? Hopefully you are in good hands. Good luck and swift progress.

I'm trying not too worry. The issue I have is actually opening my mouth and talking about it. It's more the therapist asking questions. That's the problem with keeping it locked up for 22 of my 23 years alive. Being too scared to talk about it.

Haha! The trans capital of UK?! I like that! I have heard that the system in Norfolk has a good reputation. Given the amount of ridicule Norfolk gets for being inbred farmers with webbed feet and 6 fingers we've got to have something to be proud of!

[AdamMLP]

Haha! The trans capital of UK?! I like that! I have heard that the system in Norfolk has a good reputation. Given the amount of ridicule Norfolk gets for being inbred farmers with webbed feet and 6 fingers we've got to have something to be proud of!

Norfolk does have inbred farmers with webbed feet :p I sort of wish I was still in Suffolk now, or that Norwich was one of the GICs listed in the Interim Gender Dysphoria Protocol document I showed my GP. Its hard enough to get him to refer me to The Laurels and that's in there.