British GIC choice: Charing Cross vs The Laurels

[Heliomance]

Brit here, asking for advice.

Last June, I got referred to Charing Cross GIC to start the process of transitioning. They didn't give me an appointment, and didn't give me an appointment, and didn't give me an appointment. A month or two ago, fed up of waiting, I asked my GP to refer me to The Laurels in Exeter, which I've heard good things about. As far as I can gather, they have a roughly 4 month waiting list.

Last week, I finally got an appointment letter from Charing Cross. They're offering me an appointment in July, 13 months after my initial referral. And now I'm not sure what to do. I've heard barely anything about The Laurels, but what I have heard has all been good. I've heard a lot of bad things about Charing Cross. I don't know whether I should go to the appointment, or whether I should cancel it and hold out for The Laurels. Or possibly even try to ride both horses?

Does anyone have any experience with either clinic, and can help me make a decision? I really don't have enough information at the moment. I know Charing Cross absolutely won't prescribe hormones until at least the second appointment, which I think is generally about 3 months after the first. I don't know The Laurels' policy on that. I've been living full time female for over a year and a half now, and I'd really like to start hormones as soon as possible.

The clinician I've been assigned at CX is Robin Dundas - does anyone know anything about him?

[HoneyStrums]

DID you email, the gic???

If you missed the cut the YEAR of referral, like I did, you SHOULD of RECIEVED a letter explaining this. If you do miss the cut, they cant give you an exact appointment time, until the next year.

So yeah, WAITED until the start of this years tax year, then two more months, EMAILED, received a reply that day, mentioning I should be receiving a letter informing my appointment month is AUGUST, and that I will receive another letter July with an exact date and time.

(You got to be in charge, cant just wait for other people to do things, people are lazy and if they can get away without doing something they will. You need to phone, email and do what ever ells you can to KICK them into gear.)

I am not in a position to provide any form of comparison for you. But you might try find out as to why you waited so long without being informed that you would be

[Heliomance]

Was phoning Charing Cross every month or so for a while, asking about an appointment. No real answer. I gather they had a complete freeze put on new appointments from roughly November to roughly April. No-one who was referred since May 2013 got an appointment until quite recently, I think.