Quote from: Tamara on April 10, 2008, 10:12:43 AM
I went to see my GP earlier today to ask about my referal and the possibilities of going private. I have been refered on the NHS to the West London Gender Identity Clinic, I asked my GP how long it will take to get my first appointment but she doesn't know and will try to find out. Does anyone have any idea of how long this may be?
Thanks
Hi & Welcome Tamara,
"West London GIC" would be the Charing Cross Clinic (the only NHS gender clinic in the SE).
With the retirement of the old "gatekeepers", and with the likes of Stuart Lorimer as their psychiatrist in ascendancy, and Dr Leighton Seal as their highly experienced endocrinologist having treated 2000+ TS patients (both great guys, not adverse to doing presentations at TS meets, and propping up the bar afterwards into the early hours !), for sure Charing Cross has shed its past reputation.
As Dr Lorimer says they want the whole process leading up to referral for surgery to be no more than 2 years for the right patients.
If your Local Area Health Authority is co-operative I believe it usually takes 3 - 5 months for that first appointment. CHX RLE requirement is usually 2 years.
Once referred for surgery there is often then a waiting list which tends to be 6-12 months for most people (though there are some health authorities that are particularly obstructive in releasing funding, Oxford for one, parts of Yorkshire, all of Wales ! I don't believe Leicester is one of these.).
So a reasonable case will take about 3 - 5 years from seeing GP to surgery if all goes smoothly.
Note that referral to Charing Cross has to be from an NHS psychiatrist who has treated / assessed you, they do not accept direct GP referrals.
If you want surgery to be funded by the NHS you HAVE TO go the NHS route ....
If you have the funds to go private on everything, including meds until you're post-op, and are in a lightening hurry then sure go to Dr Curtis (the only private option in the UK), and you can be through the "sausage machine" in a year flat .... but you won't get the comprehensive medical / endocrinological back-up and total package that CHX offers, unless you seek it out and pay for it yourself.
Like they say, "fools rush in", and if someone really wants express surgery you can go with any of the leading Thai surgeons without need for "letters" and minimal evidence of RLE !
Of course if you want a surgeon outside of the UK (UK surgeons aren't exactly "cutting edge" (
) for SRS .... and Tim Terry who you'll be stuck with in Leicester (?) has the worst reputation of the three), you can still do your 18 - 24 months RLE under Charing Cross, get their referrals, and pay for a surgeon of choice anywhere in the world, and save yourself quite a few £k in the proccess !
Of course our NHS is officious, but that's the beauracracy ... not the doctors, so woe betide if you miss an appointment etc.
Guess if I were starting on the path now I would go on the NHS route at least until surgery, or at least give it a go ....
Good Luck.
Laura x
P.S. check out
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transsexual-uk/ for UK girls who have been through the NHS system.
