Re: U.K NHS poor treatment of Gender Dysphoria

[lady amarant]

Its not easy to sue the government over here either.  And, despite a few cases that garner too much attention, most lawsuits are about responsibility, not blame.  So, like the case of the Ford Pinto, where the designers knew it was going to have explosion problems when rear-ended, and the corporate management did a nice simple cost accounting and figured that the money spent on paying out lawsuits would be less than the profit they would make.

Hmmmm. So that scene in Fight Club where Edward Norton's character is inspecting the burnt out car while explaining about "the formula" ... they actually do that ... why am I not in the least bit surprised.

I had my own joyous run-in with the NHS - didn't even make it to Charing Cross. After my GP treated me like garbage when I came out to him last week, I decided to try and find out for myself about my options as a resident on a limited visa. I phoned up the local PCT, Charing Cross itself, even the Department of Health - nobody could tell me if I'd qualify for treatment at Charing Cross or not, and lets just say that, apart from one girl who was really nice about it and tried her best to help out, the other end of the phone was icy. I simply don't think GID is a high priority on the NHS list, for obvious ideological reasons - so what if a couple of freaks jump off of the occasional building...

I was really hoping to get some kind of supervision for my illicit anti-androgen taking, but I'll just have to keep self-medicating until I get back home to South Africa. I just hope the Gender Clinic at Pretoria Academic in South Africa is better than this bunch...

If they are, I'll let everybody know. Please feel free to immigrate. We have great weather, lots of wild animals, and since all the skilled people leave the country for greener pastures, companies can't be too picky about who they hire. 

[tekla]

Given what I've read from the Brits here, hard to imagine anything worse.  In the USA, were 'reinventing' yourself is a national pastime, all it really takes is the right doctor, and for your check to clear.

[Rachael]

its ironic, considering we have the best protective laws  and records change laws  ><
R >

[lady amarant]

its ironic, considering we have the best protective laws  and records change laws  ><
R >

On records change, yeah, I'd agree, but I think South Africa probably is, legeslatively at least, more trans-friendly than anywhere else around. Non discrimination against trans people is written into our constitution, along with any other basis for discrimination.

Unfortunately though, if you want to change your legal gender, you must have had SRS, which we obviously feel is rather wrong.

[Berliegh]

its ironic, considering we have the best protective laws  and records change laws  ><
R >

On records change, yeah, I'd agree, but I think South Africa probably is, legeslatively at least, more trans-friendly than anywhere else around. Non discrimination against trans people is written into our constitution, along with any other basis for discrimination.

Unfortunately though, if you want to change your legal gender, you must have had SRS, which we obviously feel is rather wrong.

SRS? If only..

[Anonymouse]

Hi all

I had the misfortune to seek treatment via CHX and later the Claybrook Clinic. I had the misfortune of falling under the "care" of the esteemed (by his peers but not his patients) Richard Green. On one occasion he told me with a certain amount of pride that the suicide rate amongst CHX patients was only 18%. He seemed to think this was quite an achievement. It was an extremely negative experience that nearly lead to the darknes.

When I stopped going to Claybrook because it was such a negative experience and later told my GP I was going to Curtis she told me she said " I think thats a really good move and I support you fully" She sent a very positive letter to him and I got a referral after my second appointment with him(total cost £200 plus expenses) All HRT and tests still funded by NHS.

When I told my local shrink (NHS) that I was thinking of going to (he said Thailand) to see (he said Suporn) he thought I was making an excellent choice. I was slightly freaked by this experience.

FF to Thailand and a couple of months off work and I am fixed. Thank you Dr S.

FF to 3 months PO and I am "fixed". I still have my job with both more responsibility and confidence. I can swim over a mile and am currently aiming for two miles.

The NHS generally I think is very good. NHS Gender Clinics - a complete bag of ->-bleeped-<-.

Anne


Posted on: March 07, 2008, 04:59:52 PMHi all

I had the misfortune to seek treatment via CHX and later the Claybrook Clinic. I had the misfortune of falling under the "care" of the esteemed (by his peers but not his patients) Richard Green. On one occasion he told me with a certain amount of pride that the suicide rate amongst CHX patients was only 18%. He seemed to think this was quite an achievement. It was an extremely negative experience that nearly lead to the darkne

When I stopped going to Claybrook because it was such a negative experience and later told my GP I was going to Curtis she told me she said " I think thats a really good move and I support you fully" She sent a very positive letter to him and I got a referral after my second appointment with him(total cost £200 plus expenses) All HRT and tests still funded by NHS.

When I told my local shrink (NHS) that I was thinking of going to (he said Thailand) to see (he said Suporn) he thought I was making an excellent choice. I was slightly freaked by this experience.

FF to Thailand and a couple of months off work and I am fixed. Thank you Dr S.

FF to 3 months PO and I am "fixed". I still have my job with both more responsibility and confidence. I can swim over a mile and am currently aiming for two miles.

The NHS generally I think is very good. NHS Gender Clinics - a complete bag of ->-bleeped-<-.

Anne

[Berliegh]

Anne, many thanks for your post which of course highlights the truth about the serious problems you can be faced with if you go the NHS GIC clinic route in the South East / London area.

[Judge Yourself]

I'm currently under glasgow's sandyford.. which isnt so bad i guess called up in march (when i went ft), got an appointment in july and now (after being told no HRT till one yr at the least after doing an RLT) i am back asking for HRt, apparently sha wants to wait till ive done exams.. but im going nuts. i asked her do i need to change my name for the RLT she said RLT doesnt exist here, that the UK does not follow guidelines - which is fantastic *eyeroll*

our lives in their little pen pushing hands...

[Berliegh]

I'm currently under glasgow's sandyford.. which isnt so bad i guess called up in march (when i went ft), got an appointment in july and now (after being told no HRT till one yr at the least after doing an RLT) i am back asking for HRt, apparently sha wants to wait till ive done exams.. but im going nuts. i asked her do i need to change my name for the RLT she said RLT doesnt exist here, that the UK does not follow guidelines - which is fantastic *eyeroll*

our lives in their little pen pushing hands...

Glasgow's sandyford is probably the best option NHS GIC in the U.K and is where I've ended up now. I suffered a lot of abuse at Charing Cross GIC and wouldn't recommend them to anyone. I'm surprised Sandyford would make you wait a year for HRT (Charing Cross made me wait 2 years). In the end I had enough of the NHS at that time and went private in order to start on HRT. 

[Lucy]

Ive had to wait 12 months befor my GP will refer me to a GIC. Only last week did he send my referal to Leister GIC. Just another waiting game now....

[Berliegh]

Ive had to wait 12 months befor my GP will refer me to a GIC. Only last week did he send my referal to Leister GIC. Just another waiting game now....

Lucy, I mentioned before that I personally think the NHS is not the way to go and I have had to learn the hard way. I wouldn't want you to spend 8 years fighting with the NHS system for treatment and referrals like I had to, and I'm still doing...

However, I do think I was probably living in the worst area of the U.K (being in the South East) for NHS treatment and I'm not sure how Leicster GIC conduct themselves, but oveverall it's a battle going through the NHS for treatment across the board..

[Lucy]

Ive had to wait 12 months befor my GP will refer me to a GIC. Only last week did he send my referal to Leister GIC. Just another waiting game now....

Lucy, I mentioned before that I personally think the NHS is not the way to go and I have had to learn the hard way. I wouldn't want you to spend 8 years fighting with the NHS system for treatment and referrals like I had to, and I'm still doing...

However, I do think I was probably living in the worst area of the U.K (being in the South East) for NHS treatment and I'm not sure how Leicster GIC conduct themselves, but oveverall it's a battle going through the NHS for treatment across the board..

The only thing is to keep you posted about how quickly things move on and the experteese of the people there. I have oftern considered self medicating but wouldnt know where to start. I will just stick with the NHS for now..

[Berliegh]

Ive had to wait 12 months befor my GP will refer me to a GIC. Only last week did he send my referal to Leister GIC. Just another waiting game now....

Lucy, I mentioned before that I personally think the NHS is not the way to go and I have had to learn the hard way. I wouldn't want you to spend 8 years fighting with the NHS system for treatment and referrals like I had to, and I'm still doing...

However, I do think I was probably living in the worst area of the U.K (being in the South East) for NHS treatment and I'm not sure how Leicster GIC conduct themselves, but oveverall it's a battle going through the NHS for treatment across the board..

The only thing is to keep you posted about how quickly things move on and the experteese of the people there. I have oftern considered self medicating but wouldnt know where to start. I will just stick with the NHS for now..

I didn't go down the self medication route. I attended Charing Cross GIC for two years but they still refused to provide hormone treatment. So I went private and started on hormones the same afternoon as my private appointment....

This highlighted the perspective between private healthcare and the NHS..

For myself and many people finance is their biggest stumbling block....

[Judge Yourself]

I'm currently under glasgow's sandyford.. which isnt so bad i guess called up in march (when i went ft), got an appointment in july and now (after being told no HRT till one yr at the least after doing an RLT) i am back asking for HRt, apparently sha wants to wait till ive done exams.. but im going nuts. i asked her do i need to change my name for the RLT she said RLT doesnt exist here, that the UK does not follow guidelines - which is fantastic *eyeroll*

our lives in their little pen pushing hands...

Glasgow's sandyford is probably the best option NHS GIC in the U.K and is where I've ended up now. I suffered a lot of abuse at Charing Cross GIC and wouldn't recommend them to anyone. I'm surprised Sandyford would make you wait a year for HRT (Charing Cross made me wait 2 years). In the end I had enough of the NHS at that time and went private in order to start on HRT. 

yeah i cant complain, i love it in glasgow and theyve been great to me

apparently because t works so quickly they make you wait a yr to make sure you know what youre doing etc which is fine cause ive just completed it

the surgery issue however is a different story - the guy up here retired and theres no one to replace him so we all join the london queue... which is unbearably long to see some guy who doesnt seem to know what hes doing

im saving up and going private

[Berliegh]

the surgery issue however is a different story - the guy up here retired and theres no one to replace him so we all join the london queue... which is unbearably long to see some guy who doesnt seem to know what he's doing

im saving up and going private

That just about sums it up....

[Alex]

Hello people, I've not seen anyone else in the Manchester area on here yet.  I called the Manchester "Psychosexual Counselling Unit" yesterday and was told to get a referral from my GP first and then I'll have to fill out a questionairre and wait 6-8 weeks for my first appointment with them.  I have an appointment with my GP in 2 weeks so my first consultation with an expert could be as early as 8 weeks from now.  I'll let you know how it goes

I've had bad experiences with the NHS in the past for other reasons so I don't have high hopes really.  But who knows, she could be wonderful!

[Lucy]

Hello people, I've not seen anyone else in the Manchester area on here yet.  I called the Manchester "Psychosexual Counselling Unit" yesterday and was told to get a referral from my GP first and then I'll have to fill out a questionairre and wait 6-8 weeks for my first appointment with them.  I have an appointment with my GP in 2 weeks so my first consultation with an expert could be as early as 8 weeks from now.  I'll let you know how it goes

I've had bad experiences with the NHS in the past for other reasons so I don't have high hopes really.  But who knows, she could be wonderful!

Nice one Alex, keep it up...

[Rachael]

Good luck, but don't expect that sort of wait.... be prepared for longer... you'll only be disappointed if they screw you over...

im from near manchester originally Alex, i used to live in Urmston....
R >

[Naturally Blonde]

Can we have an update with this topic? has the service at Charing Cross GIC improved in anyway? has anyone recent experience of CX GIC? and are there any improvements with their services in recent years / months?

[daisybelle]

That's not my experience at all. I attended a London NHS Gender clinic for 2 years from 2001 to 2003 and still got continually refused HRT. So in the end I had no choice than to go private (cost £200) and got the HRT prescription at the appointment the same afternoon......so it was still good value compared to 2 years of fighting with the NHS...

I also have an intersexed condition which the London NHS gender clinic were made aware of and have been living a RLT for 5 years (backed up by full documentation etc) yet the London NHS Gender clinic still refused to give me a referral for SRS....

I have now taken legal steps against them as they have deliberately avoided helping me with my treatment.....

Since leaving the London NHS Gender clinic I have had far more success and have secured referrals on my own for FFS and Breast augmentation still through the NHS, so as Keira rightly says the NHS is not the problem on it's own but the Gender Clinic system is the problem.....

And they want to institute a NHS in the US.... I do not think this benefits anyone.

Maybe a compromise.  Keep insurance the way it is ( maybe reform it a little better ).

Add a NHS system for the uninsured ( or the insured where the particular medical procedure(s) are not covered ) and pay doctors that are done with their residency for a 5 year term and forgive their Student loans.

Daisy