Getting HRT with the NHS

[HollyHC]

A while ago I went to my GP for the first time with my gender dysphoria.

They phoned back a while ago to tell me to wait for a referral to an NHS mental health clinic. And from there, presumably, I might end up at the gender clinic in London.

But they also said that they require a two-year-long RLE period before prescribing hormones. That seems laughably long. Are they lying to me?

And also, is it at all possible that they'd prescribe androgen blockers for me by themselves to cut of the latter half of male puberty. Two years would be acceptable as long as I'm not in a hurry to save what I can, because there's still a chance I could not need all that electrolysis later on if I act fast.

(I live in the UK)

[Chrissty]

Hi Holly,

Congratulations on finding the courage to take your first step 

A while ago I went to my GP for the first time with my gender dysphoria.

They phoned back a while ago to tell me to wait for a referral to an NHS mental health clinic. And from there, presumably, I might end up at the gender clinic in London.

It rather depends on where you live and what PCT covers your area. While Charring Cross is probably the largest and best known clinic (for all the wrong reasons) there are a number dotted around the country and the same goes for GCS.

But they also said that they require a two-year-long RLE period before prescribing hormones. That seems laughably long. Are they lying to me?

Firstly, your age could be having an effect, but...

...someone sounds like either they don't know what they are talking about, or are introducing their own rules. The only issue that seems blurred in the UK, is whether RLE starts before or after HRT, but the 3 month period generally applies, so long as you can get the necessary appointments. In some areas you will be allowed HRT after 3 months of counselling with a registered therapist, or in others, they require proof of 3 months RLE before HRT...it's a lottery.

GCS is much more of a problem in terms of waiting lists, and the 2 year RLE is much more of a common requirement. For some reason a lot of UK GP's seem to mix up the GCS waiting times with the HRT waiting times.

Just try to get to the clinic ASAP, where you should get some sense, and take any RLE evidence you can with you.

You may find the following link to NHS booklets helpful...

http://www.gires.org.uk/dohpublications.php

And also, is it at all possible that they'd prescribe androgen blockers for me by themselves to cut of the latter half of male puberty. Two years would be acceptable as long as I'm not in a hurry to save what I can, because there's still a chance I could not need all that electrolysis later on if I act fast.

I'm afraid a lot will depend on the consultant you see and their personal preference. It's common to get a variety of "cocktails" over the first year.

The NHS is far from an easy beast to deal with on this subject, and can be as slippery as a snake when it comes to excuses.


Good luck ... keep posting your questions, and we'll keep trying to answer them. 

Remember, once you have made 15 posts here, you get the ability to pm people, and access to more facilities..



Chrissty

[HollyHC]

Thanks for the information Chrissty, and the leaflets on that link were really helpful.

[Chrissty]

I'm glad to be able to help Holly.

Please don't get too downhearted with the NHS system, and let us know if you hit any problems.

Now get on with that posting girl!... don't be shy, just join the party..! 



Chrissty

[Sara91]

Rather than making a new topic, is there any resources about say, a list of NHS places that will do therapy and such that I could research?

Past experience with the NHS has never been good, but I want to get on to them ASAP as you know what they're like.

Will my GP know where to refer me?

[rejennyrated]

The most famous GIC is at Charing Cross Hospital in London. I have been to several rather drunken parties with many of the shrinks from there (whilst in stealth) - I am a close personal friend of one of the doctors who used to work there. Happily I was already longterm postop and had been a private patient or that could have been a bit awkward!

There are also many others, Leicester, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Bristol, Newton Abbot to name just those that I know of...

So yes your GP should know where to send you... and you should be able to attend somewhere near to you.

The protocols for getting HRT vary a bit from one place to another but I think the general rule is that they make you wait at very least until your second appointment (about 6 months) and in some cases a bit longer. But I think the 2 year thing is probably a misunderstanding.

[Chrissty]

Rather than making a new topic, is there any resources about say, a list of NHS places that will do therapy and such that I could research?

Past experience with the NHS has never been good, but I want to get on to them ASAP as you know what they're like.

Will my GP know where to refer me?

Hi Sara,

I agree with Jenny, that you need to see your GP first, and there are a lot more clinics than just ChX....but I'm still hear a lot of reports where GP's don't know what to do when we first attend. 

I suggest you take a look at the NHS booklets posted at "Gires" link below, to get some idea of what you should expect..and take a copy with you to your first appointment to show the doctor what you expect... 

Your GP will probably not know where or how to refer you, and will need to find out unless they have had a previous TG case. You will usually see a normal physc' before being referred to a gender clinic for HRT, and that's where the time usually stretches out to 6 months...

Don't be surprise if your GP gets confused between HRT and Surgery waiting times, and also don't be surprised if they expect you to go full time while waiting for hormones...but that dosen't mean you should not protest your case if you think they are treating you unfairly..

...after that I'm afraid it's down to the PCT (Primary Care Trust) to decide if they will fund your treatment. HRT is not usually a problem, but as you may have read about "Oxfordshire" PCT's refusal to fund GCS recently, where you live could make a big difference ....   

Good Luck Honey... 



Chrissty