I spoke to my GP...

[speckyhailey]

I spoke to my GP, she was really nice and understanding about it, I'm apparently in one of the most accepting areas of the country for trans people, and they are referring me to a CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) as per NHS protocol and GP guidelines. So I can see a therapist and then they should refer me to a GIC to get treatment after that. If waiting times are what I've been told I can be on HRT by next summer I believe, maybe earlier! 

[MelissaAnn]

Speckyhailey
congratulations that's a huge first step. It's very difficult to lay your feelings out like that and I'm very proud that you are able to do that, the courage that is involved is very rewarding. All I really can say is now you're on the yellow brick road and on the way to find a wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz. I wish you nothing but the best of luck on your journey and may the Angels always look upon you and guide you on your path.

Hugs,

Melissa Ann

[AdamMLP]

I hope you don't mind a guy commenting, but I'm of the opinion that us Brits should stick together and help each other out as there's no many of us on Susans.  I don't want to be the one to burst your bubble either, because having a supportive GP really is half the battle.  I don't know what part of the UK you're in, so completely ignore this if you're in Wales, they still do things the old way.

They may be one of the most accepting areas of the country, but your GP isn't the most clued up.  You don't need to be referred to CAMHS at all these days, since the new gender protocol was brought out in July last year.  It's not unusual for them to still think you have to be seen by your local mental health team, mine tried to refer me there, and although some people have still been able to be referred that way it takes longer, or like mine, they'll say there's no point seeing me because it's unnecessary and using their resources.  If you're under 17 you should be referred straight to Tavistock and Portman in London, or possibly Leeds or Exeter.  If you're 17 or over you can be referred to any of the adult GICs in the country.  Please don't break the TOS and say how old you are here though.

You can show them this NHS document: http://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/int-gend-proto.pdf particularly appendix 5 (page 23), or ask them to call the GIC you're aiming to get referred to.

[speckyhailey]

I hope you don't mind a guy commenting, but I'm of the opinion that us Brits should stick together and help each other out as there's no many of us on Susans.  I don't want to be the one to burst your bubble either, because having a supportive GP really is half the battle.  I don't know what part of the UK you're in, so completely ignore this if you're in Wales, they still do things the old way.

They may be one of the most accepting areas of the country, but your GP isn't the most clued up.  You don't need to be referred to CAMHS at all these days, since the new gender protocol was brought out in July last year.  It's not unusual for them to still think you have to be seen by your local mental health team, mine tried to refer me there, and although some people have still been able to be referred that way it takes longer, or like mine, they'll say there's no point seeing me because it's unnecessary and using their resources.  If you're under 17 you should be referred straight to Tavistock and Portman in London, or possibly Leeds or Exeter.  If you're 17 or over you can be referred to any of the adult GICs in the country.  Please don't break the TOS and say how old you are here though.

You can show them this NHS document: http://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/int-gend-proto.pdf particularly appendix 5 (page 23), or ask them to call the GIC you're aiming to get referred to.

The most recent GP guidelines I have read stated that I should be referred to CAMHS if I'm under 18, though I understand the protocol says that I should be referred to Tavi. I wasn't overly sure, and she said that she had experience with the therapists at CAMHS, and that they had dealt with gender dysphoria before, so I followed her guidance. My GP said that it should only take around 2 weeks for an appointment at CAMHS so I'll see what they say but if it looks like it will take a long time for a referral I'll go to my GP and ask for a referral to Tavi, and she said to arrange another appointment once I'd been seen at CAMHS anyway.

Hugs 

[AdamMLP]

The most recent GP guidelines I have read stated that I should be referred to CAMHS if I'm under 18, though I understand the protocol says that I should be referred to Tavi. I wasn't overly sure, and she said that she had experience with the therapists at CAMHS, and that they had dealt with gender dysphoria before, so I followed her guidance. My GP said that it should only take around 2 weeks for an appointment at CAMHS so I'll see what they say but if it looks like it will take a long time for a referral I'll go to my GP and ask for a referral to Tavi, and she said to arrange another appointment once I'd been seen at CAMHS anyway.

Hugs 

That's interesting, I'd not heard of that stipulation before.  Any idea what the document was called, or a link, just for my own interest?  I'm past the point of needing it now, 18 and at the GIC, but I find this stuff interesting.

If CAMHS is only going to take 2 weeks to get to then you might as well just go, it won't do any harm.  I've never been fortunate to have that short a waiting list for anything myself, but I'm probably just unlucky!  When my GP tried to refer me to CAMHS this time last year they wrote back saying as I wasn't in immediate danger I'd probably not get an appointment until I was 18 (in May) anyway.  I really hope your bit of the country is much more prepared.

[speckyhailey]

The document was written in 2012 by representatives from London, Sunderland, Nottingham, and Leeds GICs but isn't specific if the protocol was going to replace it or not. The document says, 'Currently, young people under 18 should be referred in the first instance to the local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), for initial assessment of the Gender Dysphoria and possible associated psychological difficulties, such as depression or an autistic spectrum condition.'

I don't know where I found it but I wasn't sure which was more relevant between that document and the protocol and I found the wording to be a bit vague in the protocol so I followed my GP's judgement on it.

[Luna Star]

Congratz , what a huge step to take, talking about being trans is really hard. But if you got some support and accepted yourself fully, the road is a whole lot easier . Keep us up to date! (I saw you before on the forums, was lurking as a guest, ehh. don't mind me ^^

[RosieD]

Ooo! Another Brit on Susan's <waves>. I am in Wales but thankfully the.bit that the lovely Dr Jamil covers so have had a less arduous time of it than others.  An understanding GP is an absolute deity-send as, despite the various reports and guidances issued, it still seems to be a bit of a lottery as to how you progress through the system. Having someone who knows the way the local system works is likely to mean you get a smoother passage through the process.

Some advice, if I may.  The NHS is great but you can probably help yourself by being the manager of your own care. Make sure you have names and contact numbers for the next person you need to talk to in the treatment chain. Find out when you can expect to be contacted by and when you don't hear anything by then (sorry but this will inevitably happen) call the person and (politely) enquire about when your appointment will be. The NHS will take good care of you but it does need the occasional prod.

Rosie

[big kim]

Another Brit here,glad to see things have improved from my time.(Got referred to Charing Cross October 1989,got an appointment May 1991!)

[AdamMLP]

The document was written in 2012 by representatives from London, Sunderland, Nottingham, and Leeds GICs but isn't specific if the protocol was going to replace it or not. The document says, 'Currently, young people under 18 should be referred in the first instance to the local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), for initial assessment of the Gender Dysphoria and possible associated psychological difficulties, such as depression or an autistic spectrum condition.'

I don't know where I found it but I wasn't sure which was more relevant between that document and the protocol and I found the wording to be a bit vague in the protocol so I followed my GP's judgement on it.

I found a copy of the document, and personally considering a few bits have been altered in other aspects I'd say that it's been superseded by the Gender Protocol (which is more recent).  Either way, you'll be getting there with hopefully not too long a wait, and if you run into problems it's often good to suggest your GP talks directly to the GIC.