The NHS pathway

[Jenny94]

Hi everyone. I'm a UK girl pre-everything and have just got referred to the Gender Identity Clinic in London. I just phoned them up to check that the doc did actually refer me and I am on the waiting list. The woman on the phone was helpful, the wait to get picked up was only about 10 mins, and I am actually on the list...so, estimated first appointment October 2018.

But, in the "you're on hold" music bit, the voice told me "If you're calling about ___, the waiting time is ___ " - and well, it was pretty sobering, to hear it listed out like that. 14 months for first appointment, 6 weeks to hear back after blood tests, 16 month wait for speech therapy, etc. I knew GICs were understaffed and under-prioritised, but even so it was a bit of a slap. So, I'm feeling demoralised at the moment, even wondering if it's financially possible for me to do all this privately. That's not what I want to do, I don't agree with private healthcare and I'm not rich.

I was wondering if any other UK people on here have been through, or are going through, the NHS route - especially Charing Cross GIC - and whether you have any words of encouragement? Failing that, we can all have a good bitch together about it... 😛 Or, just share your NHS story, it'd really help me at the moment.

L x

[PinkThorn682]

I'm sitting on the Northampton waiting list right now. Haven't checked times but their site says first appointment is 24 months.

[Elis]

I waited a year for my first Charing Cross appointment :/. And was told it would be another 9 months wait for a 2nd appointment if you want to be approved for hrt or any surgeries. On the plus side the reception staff are nice; the female doctor I saw was approachable and easy to talk too.  All in all a good experience and definitely don't believe any bad stories you hear about Charring Cross  . Oh yeah; the hour wait to get a blood test at the hospital next door was super fun too 

I went private before I got referred in order to receive HRT; don't agree with the private system either and didn't have a lot if money to spare but just about made it work.

[JMJW]

The NHS is a paradox. They make you wait 3 years, but if I can pass their test, if I can wait for 3 years without self harm then what do I need them for? 

[Kylo]

Yeah I waited 10 months just to get a first GIC appt. Then almost another year before I got signed off for hormones.

I spent the time trying to work on my mental state and physical fitness, trying to look after myself again after a lifetime of self-neglect and dissociation. There's a lot to consider - a new wardrobe, studying mannerisms and what will be expected of you once transitioned, coming out to people you want to come out to, being aware of the risks of HRT and surgery, dealing with any partner issues if you have one, job issues if you have one, becoming healthier if you need to in preparation for hormones, etc.

[Megan.]

I'm a CX GIC girl,  recently started HRT after 10, 6 and 6 month waits.
The GIC do provide some softer services (therapy,  speech,  and funding for some hair removal),  but they are mostly medical gatekeepers,  because they barely have resources for anything else.
Transition is alot more than the medical stuff. There is a great deal of mental thought,  emotional and psychological development needed to be successful, and this can start while you wait for the GIC.
If you have the means,  hair removal is always good to get going. Bridging HRT is also an option.
Fitness,  style,  makeup,  wardrobe,  mannerisms as other say,  can all be worked on,  and do take time. X

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[HoneyStrums]

Seacroft GIC here. :p

Yeah that first wait of one year, at first i was like well this sucks. but its one year, its not a long time. I expects you will get a letter with all the information that you heard while you wait.

And in it will be a description of the NHS pathway. And their are some obligations we need to make on our end as well.
Like becoming active in the roll.

Changing name and tittle is also something you don't need to wait for. Working towards being active in your chosen roll,  and collecting a wardrobe is also nice to make progress on.

There is a lot YOU can do to make progress in your life. And in retrospect i found that, that year went by relatively fast. I also worked on coming out to more people. Discovering true friend, Their is a lot of information that you can use to discover things you don't need to wait for. And in the grand scheme of things, it certantley doesn't feel like waiting .

Be over before you know it.

[Charlotte F]

I've been considering requesting a referral to the CX GIC but am currently going down, and am very happy with the private route

I've had a lot of experience of the health service this year for other matters and have very mixed opinions about the quality of service in the NHS.  It has been extremely hit and miss in regards to the quality and bedside manner of the doctors or nurses - some have been amazing but unfortunately lots have been absolutely awful.  It was that lottery that pushed me towards taking my first steps in medical transition with private providers

I wouldn't for one second suggest that the NHS isn't a wonderful concept and has been an absolute blessing for millions of Brits over the years but at the same time life is very short and if you can afford it - why not take private options to improve your life?  For me sacrificing holidays and making some cut backs here and there have helped raise the money required so far.  Mentally I'm in a far better place than I would have been after a couple of weeks away

It's also worth remembering that many procedures are not covered by the NHS anyway - FFS and general body hair removal for example so perhaps a mixture of private and NHS services might be unavoidable anyway depending on where your dysphoria lies

As others have said though, if you are reliant on the GIC, there is plenty to do whilst on their waiting list.  Along with getting your affairs in order & coming out, hair removal & voice training take a very long time and it's much better to start getting them out of the way as early as possible

[davina61]

7 months into a 2year wait for first interview with Nottingham, have pulled some (very small) pension money out so I can start private bridging HRT and plan on starting RLE in end of October. Whether the world is ready for me I don't know so they had better brace themselves for a bloke in a wig etc . Name change as well , out to family and friends and local shops are used to me wearing nail varnish and earrings and no negatives  so far. Retiring in 3 1/2 years so that's my time scale.

[Sarah77]

I hear you. Im not on the waiting list because the therapist I went to for depression and anxiety (triggered by dysphoria) thinks I should think carefully about the impact on my kids. She's not against transition, but feels it is gonna be a nightmare as my wife is dead against it (no surprise)

I really love my kids and wife and I think if I can learn coping mechanisms I can hold on for a few years.

[rose]

Hey everyone I want to ask you all
How are the transgenders rights in the U.K. In term of jobs hiring trans girls , transphobia in the school ab work place
How to change your name and gender marker etc
And anything also related if being trans

[Elis]

Hey everyone I want to ask you all
How are the transgenders rights in the U.K. In term of jobs hiring trans girls , transphobia in the school ab work place
How to change your name and gender marker etc
And anything also related if being trans

Our rights are pretty good. Since 2010 the Equality Act has included gender identity and expression as something you can't discriminate someone for. Although the wording needs to be changed a bit. It says something along the line of can't discriminate against transsexuals who undergo sex changes.

Changing your name and social title is easy. You simply print out a deed poll template and sign it including two witnesses. And your bank, DVLA and HMRC will change stuff to the correct gender as well. You can get a new passport in your new gender if you include with your application a letter from your GP explaining that you're trans and the change is likely permanent. Getting a new birth certificate is trickier and pretty unethical. You need to have lived 2 years in your new gender and then send your application and prove of having done so to a panel of strangers to prove you're not lying and you're actually serious. Also have to pay £140 for the privilege. The current government has said they'd look into changing this by simply having to fill in a form to change your gender officially.

[HoneyStrums]

Are rights with jobs?
They are the same as everyone else.

("Positive Discrimination") In some sectors actually benefits trans individuals.

e.g Our Local Authorities have to represent and reflect the population in their area. so providing one has the relevant experience and/or certification for the given roll, the individuals chances of getting the job is increased.

[PinkThorn682]

The current government has said they'd look into changing this by simply having to fill in a form to change your gender officially.

I'm not holding my breath. Not while the government is packed to the gunwhales with old guard Conservatives and being propped up by one of the most anti-LGBT mainstream parties in the country.

[Megan.]

Hey everyone I want to ask you all
How are the transgenders rights in the U.K. In term of jobs hiring trans girls , transphobia in the school ab work place
How to change your name and gender marker etc
And anything also related if being trans

I work for a major UK based international pharma business. Beyond the legal protections,  I have transitioned in role,  and my employer has been 100% supportive,  I've not had any issues at work, my colleagues have been very supportive.
Schools vary widely some are very good on LGBT,  some less so. Universities are generally extremely supportive and liberal.
Others have stated how weirdly easy it is to change your name in the UK,  but conversely very difficult to change birth certificate. But passport,  driving license etc.. are all straight forward.

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[Elis]

I'm not holding my breath. Not while the government is packed to the gunwhales with old guard Conservatives and being propped up by one of the most anti-LGBT mainstream parties in the country.

Very true. But was a big step for the conservatives to even admit and acknowledge there's a problem with how a trans person acquires a new birth certificate.

[Jenny94]

Hey guys, thanks for sharing your experiences. It was nice to hear from a few of you who had eventually managed to wrestle some hormones off the NHS - it gives me hope. Up to two years waiting to get on oestrogen was kind of what I expected anyway.

Also, thanks for the advice on how to start transitioning while waiting. I'm putting all of these things into practice - I'm effectively full-time already, but I don't think anyone's noticed. XD Plenty of time to practice so that I can pass the gatekeeping tests when I get to that!

As for the question of trans rights in the UK, like the others said, legally there's no problem - for example, we're allowed to use the right loo. However, casual transphobia is still totally the norm in social circles - we're basically seen as a joke - less in my generation, but it's still there. And the thing about having to 'prove' we've been living in the right gender for two years before changing our birth certificate makes me feel nauseous whenever I remember it. As mentioned above, it could be changing soon, if the right-wingers will shut up about "rapists and murderers suddenly converting to femininity so they can go to a women's prison" and other absurd transphobic fantasies...

[sophie1904]

I went private (Gender GP) for hormones though I have had my first GIC appointment 4 months after referral and my second one is scheduled for November 1st (4.5 months from the first one). I've also already been referred for speech therapy (6 month waiting list) and facial hair removal (8 week waiting period though I've lost the form ...)

This is in Scotland (Edinburgh) and the difference between what I read and what I've experienced is staggering.

[Jenny94]

I just thought - those of you who are now onto HRT, how many times did you actually have to go to your GIC? Do you have to go back there each month for your hormone injection? I'm thinking, if I'm only gonna go to the actual clinic a few times, I may as well get referred to the one with the shortest waiting list, even if it's far away...

[sophie1904]

My HRT is private but in general I get a 3 month prescription at a time (it's pills and gel rather than an injection though).

My NHS GIC appointments are scheduled as 4 months apart.