Getting T in the UK: NHS or private

[Banf]

Hey, how are you guys?
I have a silly question for you.. to which I've never been able to find a definite answer!

So, if I get a T prescription from an NHS gender clinic (eg Charing Cross) in the UK, do they pay for the shots and everything? Or do I?

And if I get a prescription from a private gender specialist (eg Richard Curtis), do I pay full price for the T, or can they get it subsidised by NHS at all?

I'm currently waiting for Charing X to get funding approved from my local PCT for my first appointment, but it's been a while and I'm trying to decide whether to see Dr.Curtis instead/in the mean time, since I heard he's kind of awesome.. But I don't want to screw myself over for the sake of a month or four and get lumped with having to pay full price for T for the rest of my days, if I can avoid it. I'm living at home and working at the moment so it's okay, but who knows what kind of money troubles I could get into at any point in my life.. o:

Also, seems like all private health insurance policies in the UK exclude "sex change and any gender related crap"? ;P

[Greg]

Hi Banf, long time no see.

So if you get T from NHS you would just pay a prescription charge which I think is about £5-£10. If you're under 18(?), student, unemployed you may not have to pay anything.

If you get a private prescription then it's completely dependent on how your GP feels about taking over that prescription. My GP does my prescription but I'm probably one of the lucky ones who ended up with a really nice GP. The financial climate and budget cuts may also be a factor in your GPs decision.

If you do want to get a private prescription then definately go and talk to your GP and ask if they will prescribe T after you have your diagnosis. If they refuse maybe try another doctor at the surgery, or a different surgery.

[Banf]

Yeah, it's been a while! We had our internet cut off for two months, it's painful. D:

Ah, that's actually a pretty positive sign then! My GP's known me since I was little and is helping me out a lot in any way she can; doing referals and chasing things up. She has two other trans patients, though she's only known them since they transitioned.
I didn't know she'd be the one making the decision about the prescription, so fingers crossed she can help out here! :O

If I can go private and still get T on NHS, I definitely will. This indefinite waiting is not at all fun. P:

Thanks Greg!

[lilacwoman]

I don't see anything wrong with Dr Curtis's action or your GP's. 
They both have vastly more medical experience than you or most other TS have and also know how the NHS funding system works.
Also while you are fixated on getting one type of T you have to understand that lots of other things in your blood test can have a bearing on what T is best for you.
He prescribed for me and signed my GRC application.
..........................
on the other hand I look up Sustanon, Nebido and Tgel and they all have the same active ingredients and same warning about not to be used by females.

but why pay private when you can get NHS drugs and blood tests?

[Flameboy]

Ryan isn't the only trans man that I know to have had problems with Dr Curtis. I'm loathe to post any more details, as it's not my personal experience as I've never met the man, but I know of many more guys who have had problems with him than have had an overwhelmingly positive experience of him.

However, there is now an alternative in the UK - Dr Stuart Lorimer, who is one of the psychs at CX, has also started taking private patients. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post his contact details on here, but feel free to message me and I'll let you have them. I don't know what his prices are like, and I don't know anyone who has been to him privately (yet), however, I have only ever heard positive things about him from my friends who have seen him at CX.

[Nathan.]

Dr Stuart Lorimer is great, he was the psych for my first appointment at CX 

[Alessandro]

I was pondering all this last month and just came to the conclusion that it would be way too expensive to just go private.  My first Charing Cross appointment isn't until February but I think in the long-term staying with the NHS will pay off. 

[Nathan.]

I was pondering all this last month and just came to the conclusion that it would be way too expensive to just go private.  My first Charing Cross appointment isn't until February but I think in the long-term staying with the NHS will pay off.

That's what I thought too and i'm glad I stuck with the NHS because now that i've had my first appoinment things are going faster.

[Banf]

Hey guys, just to update on this. I took everything on board and spent well.. a month and a half deciding where to go, in the end I still went with Dr. Curtis, since it seemed like the only real option at the moment if I want an appointment sooner rather than later.

I did finally hear from Charing X, I'm down for an appointment there in February 2011 too, which is about when I was expecting. But for me, another 6 months of no progess is too long. ): I would so much rather shell out some extra cash and actually get things rolling. So I hope to see Dr. Curtis for one or two sessions, then continue with NHS in Feb. From what Charing X doctors have said that should be fine with them..

I also phoned the number you gave me Flameboy, but it always went straight to voicemail! I left a message with still no response yet. It's a shame 'cause Dr. Lorimer definitely would have been my first choice, but perhaps he hasn't started taking patients privately yet?

I also went to my GP who said she's happy to do the T prescription on the NHS. And the blood test fees etc can be done on the NHS too, so that should keep the costs down a lot.
And I'm getting a letter from the gender therapist I've been seeing since Feb this year, which Dr. Curtis's secretary said would be veery useful.

So, my appointment is in.. 9 days. I am hugely excited.
As far as whether I'm given Nebido or Sustanon I'm not fussy, until I've tried either I have no idea how my body will react personally. And when I go to Charing X they can put me on Sustanon if they want to, as long as it's still T. p:


My family is using male pronouns with me now, and I've been working with my HR manager on a coming out plan for the rest of people at work who don't already know. Feels like things are definitely rolling!

[j83]

From personal experiences (even though everyone is different) im glad i started out on Sustanon, cause it's faster acting and it helped to rid me of the major Dysphoria and brought around changed pretty quick. Four years on, Sustanon wasn't cutting it anymore - mood fluctuations and the like (this is post hysto) so im now on nebido which has leveled out things considerably. Like i say though, everyone is different and ultimately it's up to your doctors. 

[Papillon]

That is quick progress, Banf.

Personally, I have had good but limited experience with Richard Curtis.  I saw him for an initial consulation and he was attentive, empathic, open to whatever I wanted to discuss as treatment and was very happy to work with my GP to prescribe.  He was, if anything, quite self-effacing and I didn't find him intimidating in the slightest.  He was also very honest about his own transition, which was useful salutary information.  The summary letter he wrote to me was accurate regarding the information I gave him and the decision I made.  So I had no problems with him.  However, he and I are about the same age and are in related careers so I wonder whether I just had an intrinsic advantage in terms of him taking me seriously.  Also, as I decided not to persue medical transition for the moment, I can't comment on how far this would go in terms of getting the meds I wanted.

I wish you luck with the next stage, Banf.