First milestones reached! (Plus NHS Wales advice)

[Willowicious]

After years of deliberation, I've finally taken my first big steps in transitioning!

My first GP appointment was this morning, and it wasn't nearly as terrifying as I thought it would be! It turned out that the I had been booked an appointment with a nurse instead of a GP, but she was still really supportive, and booked me an appointment with a GP for 1 and a half hours later The GP too was very accepting, and had some background knowledge about transition pathways and NHS legislation, so I didn't need to inform her of a lot of things, and gave her the GP guidelines when offered.

For NHS Wales, it turns out that they can't refer you directly to a GIC, but you have to be referred to by a psychiatrist, who you are referred to from a councilor (referred to from the GP) (and I'll have news of an appointment with the councilor in around 2 weeks).

Furthermore, I finally acquired enough money to have a course of facial IPL, so hopefully that will aid me in passing more, and show my dedication to transitioning to the GIC My ear piercings have also finally healed so I can now wear earrings ^_^

[Kayla88]

Grats on taking the giant step forward, I hope that it all goes well for you 

I also had to go see a local therapist. Before them referring you to the GIC they take some blood aswell, or atleast they did for me. Though the karyotype was unnecessary, the GIC asked why he did it, lol.

[CollieLass]

Congratulations on these important first clinical steps on your journey to contentment; there`ll surely be ups and downs along the road, but having a supportive and interested G.P, who`s willing to learn whilst helping you, is a major plus.
Keep us here at Susan`s informed along the way; for, we`ll be here with supportive good wishes for you, on your adventure.
Kindest wishes,
Deb.

[FTMDiaries]

Congrats! 

Your positive mental attitude & resourcefulness will certainly help you through the long wait to get to Charing Cross. As you've no doubt discovered, NHS Wales currently only funds that one GIC, which is ludicrous considering there are other GICs that are closer. The Powers-That-Be are working hard on trying to get funding for a Welsh GIC, as one is sorely needed.

After you've had several appointments with the Psychiatrist and have been diagnosed with GD, you'll then have to wait for the Gatekeeper to approve your referral, and you'll then be referred to Charing Cross. Charing Cross's waiting list is currently running at 13 months between them receiving your referral and you getting your first appointment. All-in-all, the time between seeing your GP and finally getting on hormones (should you want them) via Charing Cross is approximately 2 years.

If you want to speed things up, you could always attend one of the private clinics in London (who will get you on hormones very quickly); or ask your GP whether they'd give you a bridging prescription; or consider hopping over the border & registering with an English GP, which would then allow you to choose from 7 NHS GICs, one of which has a waiting time of only about 5-6 months.

Your transition will also be speeded up if you can show them evidence of having lived in your preferred gender role for some time, e.g. changing your name, passport, driving licence, bills etc. and being known by your new identity in as much of your life as possible. This has certainly sped up the wait for hormones & surgery for those of us who have done it.

[Willowicious]

Thank you so much for all the support and advice! <3

If you want to speed things up, you could always attend one of the private clinics in London (who will get you on hormones very quickly); or ask your GP whether they'd give you a bridging prescription; or consider hopping over the border & registering with an English GP, which would then allow you to choose from 7 NHS GICs, one of which has a waiting time of only about 5-6 months.

I looked in to private clinics but unfortunately I don't have the money for it :-/ I may try getting a bridging prescription though I tried registering with English GPs several times, but unfortunately each time they said I couldn't as I live only in Wales :-/

[FTMDiaries]

I may try getting a bridging prescription though I tried registering with English GPs several times, but unfortunately each time they said I couldn't as I live only in Wales :-/

The best approach with a bridging prescription is to tell your GP that Charing Cross is currently so hugely oversubscribed that not only are they unable to meet the Government's 18-week target, you'll have to wait about 2 years to start the hormones you ought to be on already - and this protracted wait will be bad for your mental health. Then ask them whether they'll prescribe you the necessary meds, either on their own or in conjunction with a local endocrinologist. If they refuse, ask to be referred to a local endo anyway whilst you wait for Charing Cross; the wait is bound to be much shorter.

Oh, and most Welsh patients who register with an English GP use an English friend or relative's address to do so. If this is somthing you can do, be careful to choose someone you can trust to keep things confidential.

[Willowicious]

Thanks for the advice! I'll be sure to ask my GP at my next appointment!

I did think of doing it via another English address, but there's nobody who I asked who was willing to do it :-/