Nhs funded electro/ipl/laser for mtfs

[kira21 ♡♡♡]

So,  I had previously been turned down for electro/laser on the NHS. (just like everything else!)  they stated their reason as being,  that,  despite tthe fact it is explicitly labelled an essential service in their guidance,  funding channels are not defined.

I contacted nhs England directly after being batted around for a bit between the GP and gic,  they said the gic should have arranged for doing through 'specialised services', as long as the GIC has agreed it as part of your treatment (which unless you have had it done already it it should be) .   Your clinic needs to speak directly to specialised services team if they are unsure about the process

You may find the following useful to quote to the Gic (this is the guidance that they had received and should have been following)...


Hair removal (for facial or surgery site hair removal) commissioned by NHS England, as considered a 'core treatment'.
NHS England needs to see a letter or email from GIC team, (Gender Identity Clinic) confirming that hair removal is required/agreed, this also confirms that the patient is on the pathway with a Clinic. Following receipt of this letter
-          The patient can either ask the GIC who they would recommend for hair removal, but it may not be close to home.
-          If patient wants hair removal to be carried out close to home and there are no approved providers, it is  recommended that the patient looks on the British Association of Electrolysis website, and choose someone who is registered.
-          Patient should then inform NHS England who will contact them and send them a letter and a pro-forma, to ensure that they are qualified to carry out the procedure safely and that their premises are fit for purpose etc.
-          Once NHS England receives the pro-forma back from the provider, they can then inform them of how they invoice the NHS for the treatment, and patient treatment can start.


This should get the UK girls electro even pre-transition as their guidance states that it should be provided before transition as it requires hair growth to be effective.

[crowcrow223]

Thanks for posting

Could you please provide a link where all the guidelines are listed?

Do you think there is a chance of getting funding for anything else other than SRS and electrolysis? should we even try?

x

[kira21 ♡♡♡]

There are various guidances. I was told the guidance that I pasted above was internally disseminated to GIC.

Section 5 of this document (starting page 126) covers various aspects:
http://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/pss-manual.pdf

And there is the interim guidance:
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.england.nhs.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F10%2Fint-gend-proto.pdf&ei=lVe6U7nbE6r07AaGyoHYCQ&usg=AFQjCNEnGnj_zoIKP0QT-xTt6JaW7KzwOw&sig2=7NyjXh2QzMhk3DABn7VoCA

From the top document :
B. Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) services offer surgical procedures as part of
the gender dysphoria treatment pathway. Surgical procedures may include:
FtM chest reconstruction surgery
MtF breast augmentation surgery
FtM genital reconstructive surgery
MtF genital reconstructive surgery

You can also include other surgeries too though, such as trach shave and voice mod, but applications need to be made to special services and results are not guaranteed (read - not likely but possible).

Several non-surgical options are pretty much always offered such as voice coaching.

From the interim guidance:

Treatments governed by the Gender Reassignment Protocol and Guideline

Ongoing psychotherapy and counselling
Regular psychotherapy and counselling should be available throughout
the patient's individualised gender dysphoria care pathway. This
should be provided by therapists and counsellors with specialist
knowledge of gender issues. Where such psychotherapy and
counselling is not available within the GIC, GIC clinicians should
signpost patients to external providers and support networks if
required. The GIC should also provide information for patients'
families, partners and carers. If necessary, GIC clinicians should
signpost patients' families, partners and carers to external providers
and support networks.

Hormone Therapy
NHS England expects GPs to co-operate with their commissioned
GICs and to prescribe hormone therapy recommended for their
patients by the GIC. They are also expected to co-operate with GICs in
patient safety monitoring, by providing basic physical examinations
(within the competence of GPs) and blood tests recommended by the
GIC. The GIC is expected to assist GPs by providing relevant
information and support, including the interpretation of blood test
results. Hormone therapy should be monitored at least 6 monthly in the
first 3 years and yearly thereafter, dependant on clinical need.
Facial hair removal This is an essential treatment for MtF patients. Removal of facial hair
relates directly to confidence and safety whilst undertaking the RLE.
Electrolysis, laser and Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatment may be
used. See appendix 4.

Speech therapy
Speech and language therapy enables patients to work towards a
voice which is more appropriate for their chosen gender. The GIC may
request the patient's GP to refer them to a local provider. On the rare
occasions that speech therapy proves to be unsuccessful, then voice
modifying surgery may be considered through the NHS England IFR
process.

Hair removal donor site
Successful hair removal from the donor site used for genital
reconstructive surgery is key to avoiding further post-surgery
complications. Laser depilation or electrolysis prior to surgery is
recommended for this. See appendix 4.

Male to Female (MtF) Not all patients will undergo genital reassignment surgery. Patients will
be referred for surgeries as agreed in their treatment plan.

Procedures offered may include some or all of the following:
 Penectomy (Removal of the penis)
 Bilateral orchidectomy (Removal of the testes)
 Vaginoplasty (Creation of the vagina)
 Clitoroplasty & Labiaplasty (Creation of clitoris and labia)

Some patients may require more extensive core treatment procedures than those
described in the Protocol and guideline. Additional core procedures will only be considered
by the four NHS England Area Team Individual Funding Request (IFR) panels on an
exceptional basis.
 
Additional core procedures are:
 Additional or revision surgery to breasts, chest or genitals
 Voice modifying surgery

[crowcrow223]

I did speak with my gender therapist about possibilities of getting some surgeries done, and he said that for most of them you have to be half a year with them. If you notice any progress/you manage to squeeze anything out of NHS, let me know! thank You

[Janae]

 
This is great I wish it was covered by Obamacare here in the US.