A Newbie asks a question

[Willowitch]

Hello all.

I'm from Exmouth in the UK and would like some opinions. I started the transition process when I lived in Swindon about seven years ago but stopped due to pressures from work, supposed friends and the NHS. I recall reading in another thread that someone believes that the NHS doctors seem to go out of their way to trip us up and humiliate us - throwing up obstacles all the time, which in no way suggests that they have any concept of care. This was my experience with Charing Cross. I came away from the session feeling depressed and beaten. I wondered if it was just me, but I keep coming across other horror stories that suggests otherwise.

Now, having shed off all the problems that stopped me in my tracks back then, I am heading full steam towards transition, but the thing that worries me still is the NHS again. So much so that I am thinking of going private and avoiding the problem.

What do people think of this option? Would you do it if funds permitted? Where would be the best place to start? Am I wrong about the NHS?

Any comments would be gratefully welcomed.

Love and Peace

Steph

[LostInTime]

Bumped.

We have a few UK members who have gone the private route, hopefully one of them will catch this thread.

Yes, Charing Cross has quite a reputation.

[BCL]

I went private, through the Leicester Gender Centre at the Nuffield.

I managed to get my hormones through my normal GP and speach Therapy on the NHS.

Transition to SRS took 14 months.

There are many NHS GIC's where the Consultants also offer Private consultations.

Rebecca

[Berliegh]

I went private, through the Leicester Gender Centre at the Nuffield.

I managed to get my hormones through my normal GP and speach Therapy on the NHS.

Transition to SRS took 14 months.

There are many NHS GIC's where the Consultants also offer Private consultations.

Rebecca

That's amazing! it's taken me the best part of 10 years! and 7 of those has been fighting with horrendous clinics like Charing Cross GIC. You get 3 appoinrments in a year if you are lucky. Any real treatment including when I started on hormones has been private so far.

But I don't think you can entirely blame the NHS as a whole but clinics like Charing Cross act as a barrier rather than a solutiion. Since leaving the Charing Cross GIC system in 2006 things have progressed much easier for me. I cannot see why those clinics exist as they only do more harm than good. They have no timescale or treatment program and in the end you realise they are of no benefit to you.

The best thing is to go out there find the surgeons you need for the various proceedure's you want and then inform your GP. Don't wait for the PCT, get the appoinrments first. It's very much DIY if you want to succeed. I've already got breast augmentation (yes NHS) and FFS lined up in the space of 6 months....compare that to 6 years of absolutely nothing gained apart from depression at Charing Cross.....so you cannot blame the NHS....but you can blame your GP if he sends you to somewhere really negative and unhelpful like Charing Cross which will waste half a decade..

[Willowitch]

Thank you for your replies. It has been helpful. I received an email suggesting I get in touch with Berliegh but the system will not allow me to send emails. My email is stephe_hill@yahoo.co.uk

Love and Peace

Steph

[Berliegh]

Thank you for your replies. It has been helpful. I received an email suggesting I get in touch with Berliegh but the system will not allow me to send emails. My email is stephe_hill@yahoo.co.uk

Love and Peace

Steph

I will be in touch..

[danielle_l]

I went private, through the Leicester Gender Centre at the Nuffield.

I managed to get my hormones through my normal GP and speach Therapy on the NHS.

Transition to SRS took 14 months.

There are many NHS GIC's where the Consultants also offer Private consultations.

Rebecca

that is very fast, did you have tim terry?

[Berliegh]

I went private, through the Leicester Gender Centre at the Nuffield.

I managed to get my hormones through my normal GP and speach Therapy on the NHS.

Transition to SRS took 14 months.

There are many NHS GIC's where the Consultants also offer Private consultations.

Rebecca

that is very fast, did you have tim terry?

Not if they had any sense...

[Anonymouse]

My advice is that if you want to have a smooth and succesful transition then stay away from NHS gender services. In my experience they treat us as men (or women) with a mental health problem.

Do by all means take advantage of local councilling services and get your GP on board. For HRT and referral requirememnts go and see somene like Richard Curtis.

In my opinion for what it is worth the key is self acceptance and the ability to control your care path at a pace you are comfortable with.

Best of Luck

Ann

[Willowitch]

Thank you for all your responses. You are all very kind. I now have a much clearer picture of where I am heading and it's a great feeling.

Love and Peace

Steph