Hi everyone.
Currently I'm in the northwest of England; despite being told by my doctors they need to refer me onto a "mental health specialist". Several months on, I'm still waiting... Recently, I contact my GP to check and again, they are still saying "We have indeed referred you" but the wait is killing me... So my question is, are there anyone here who's familiar with the British GID procedures?? And is there anyway to 'kick start' the processes? I don't wanna be 40 before I start hormones, that'll suck!!
It's a shame as an adult I still need to be guided by so-called professionals.
...Whatever happened to "this is your life, do as you pleased"??
Laz :)
I think that idea went in Boston Harbor with the tea! Hugs, Devlyn
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on April 27, 2012, 05:44:50 PM
I think that idea went in Boston Harbor with the tea! Hugs, Devlyn
Honestly it does my head in!! It's just sooo damn frustrating. Medical professionals here are more than exceptionally happy to prescribe various anti-depressants to prevent me from falling off the globe and I keep telling them I'm not depressed, they don't listen!! Yet, ask them for anyone else the system goes to the ->-bleeped-<-ter! If anything, kinda thankful that I'm occupying two very different jobs, helping kill time...
Quote from: Lazarus on April 27, 2012, 05:39:59 PM
Hi everyone.
Currently I'm in the northwest of England; despite being told by my doctors they need to refer me onto a "mental health specialist". Several months on, I'm still waiting... Recently, I contact my GP to check and again, they are still saying "We have indeed referred you" but the wait is killing me... So my question is, are there anyone here who's familiar with the British GID procedures?? And is there anyway to 'kick start' the processes? I don't wanna be 40 before I start hormones, that'll suck!!
It's a shame as an adult I still need to be guided by so-called professionals.
...Whatever happened to "this is your life, do as you pleased"??
Laz :)
I'm from the U.K and yes the U.K NHS system sucks big time! try going to see a private psychiatrist consultant first to get started. I can PM you details if you like?
Quote from: Lazarus on April 27, 2012, 06:11:21 PM
Honestly it does my head in!! It's just sooo damn frustrating. Medical professionals here are more than exceptionally happy to prescribe various anti-depressants to prevent me from falling off the globe and I keep telling them I'm not depressed, they don't listen!!
I suffer badly with severe depression and everyone tells me including my sister to get anti-depressants but the NHS won't prescribe me any!
Your GP is just being obstructive. Happens sometimes.
The only way to deal with this is to find a load of information and send it to him. Back that up by contacting some official organisations to get their backing.
http://www.transgenderzone.com/
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Transhealth/Pages/Transoverview.aspx
http://theangels.co.uk/
http://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/
It's sad that these things happen. I'm sure some of our US cousins will be more than happy to cite this to justify why they should have nothing at all. But the reality is, resources will always have limitations. It simply isn't possible nor helpful to give everyone what they want on demand.
But you do need to nag. Politely and remember, he has over 50,000 patients on his books, possibly twice that number. So, write carefully worded letters, asking him if what he's done. Point out that this is the current information. Look around Susans' and elsewhere for more. Make sure the information relates to the UK. Again, I'm sorry to say, a lot of stuff that comes out of the US is deeply suspect.
You're not beaten by a long shot. But you do need to learn to play the game.
Quote from: spacial on April 28, 2012, 06:41:10 AM
Make sure the information relates to the UK. Again, I'm sorry to say, a lot of stuff that comes out of the US is deeply suspect.
I'm sure our American cousins will disagree with your comments! try looking closer to home to see what's deeply suspect!
Quote from: Naturally Blonde on April 28, 2012, 06:32:04 AM
I suffer badly with severe depression and everyone tells me including my sister to get anti-depressants but the NHS won't prescribe me any!
That's bizarre! I went to my GP to get something for stage fright and they immediately offered me anti-depressants. I refused and went with betablockers instead, because of the side effects of benzos. I don't think stage fright is life threatening, but depression certainly is. They have strange priorities.
I also want you to understand that I do appreciate and sympathise with your problems getting treatment for your depression. Like many other, I have also battled with depression for many years, with little or no support.
I have to say I am somewhat disturbed that Felicitá was apparently offered benzodiazapines. Especially for the condition for which she was seeking support. But I can assure you that you and I are better untreated than to have that stuff. It works short term then addiction sets in.
Edit.
I have removed most of the response I made here. It was inappropriate. I apologise to any who read it.
I'm in the UK and my referal to the mental health services took around 6-8 weeks to hear from them. The actual appointment was for a month after that (end of May for me). I ws beginning to doubt it, but it did happen. It also depends on your PCT - as each PCT will allocate more/less resources to whatever they decide. So, that means it may take longer or shorter for you to get your screening consultation scheduled.
When you go, be sure to get a general mental health check. Tell them this. "GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH CHECK" - probably best not to yell, but be firm and make sure they don't try and start counselling or whatever. Once they've signed off that you're not looney, then they can refer you to the nearest GiC - and it's the GIC that wants a clean general mental health check.
Then for HRT on the NHS, go full time, do a year of RLE and then they'll consider you for HRT. There are ways around that but I do not condone them, so I'm not listing them. Then after a year of HRT, you'll be eligible for consideration for surgery should you wish to go down that route.
OR, go private. I don't know what the options are in the north east, but London has a few options and will usually follow the SOC rules/guidelines pretty closely. You can always switch back into NHS system without penalty for this. You'll get two appointments on the NHS before you having to commit to the GIC programme if I'm not mistken. They will likely do their own re-assessment of everything and that might piss you off :P (one woman I know had her prescription significantly cut back by the NHS when she switched systems - but that's a whole other story in itself)
Private consultation in London may not be so bad if you can make it to London. The intial consultation and first follow-ups may happen relatively quickly - so plan to stick around for a couple of weeks if you can. Normal follow-ups though could be as infrequently as every 3-6 months so there's a lot less travel involved. If you can handle the extra cost, time and travel, it may be worth it - but that's up to you.
I've started both routes, so when/if I ever hear from the GIC in London, I'll have that option available to me too.
Hope this helps :)
Quote from: Naturally Blonde on April 28, 2012, 06:32:04 AM
I'm from the U.K and yes the U.K NHS system sucks big time! try going to see a private psychiatrist consultant first to get started. I can PM you details if you like?
I suffer badly with severe depression and everyone tells me including my sister to get anti-depressants but the NHS won't prescribe me any!
That'll be awesome! Many thanks ;D
Quote from: spacial on April 28, 2012, 10:52:20 AM
I also want you to understand that I do appreciate and sympathise with your problems getting treatment for your depression. Like many other, I have also battled with depression for many years, with little or no support.
I have to say I am somewhat disturbed that Felicitá was apparently offered benzodiazapines. Especially for the condition for which she was seeking support. But I can assure you that you and I are better untreated than to have that stuff. It works short term then addiction sets in.
Howdy Spacial,
I didn't read your original post therefore I'm not comment to it's regards. As to the above, I solely agree!!
Not taking antidepressants drugs is
always going to be better than taking them!! Thankfully my eyes were opened by a few caring friends who took me in and helped me I stop using, took a while and coming off was way more difficult than suppressing my feelings. Dealing with my emotions took a while however I'm still feeling trapped, only now they're not mental walls but physical barriers hindering my escape.
...sometimes I wish I'm Houdini >:-)
Quote from: Lazarus on April 27, 2012, 05:39:59 PM
Hi everyone.
Currently I'm in the northwest of England; despite being told by my doctors they need to refer me onto a "mental health specialist". Several months on, I'm still waiting... Recently, I contact my GP to check and again, they are still saying "We have indeed referred you" but the wait is killing me... So my question is, are there anyone here who's familiar with the British GID procedures?? And is there anyway to 'kick start' the processes? I don't wanna be 40 before I start hormones, that'll suck!!
It's a shame as an adult I still need to be guided by so-called professionals.
...Whatever happened to "this is your life, do as you pleased"??
Laz :)
Hi Laz ,
I'm also in th north west of the uk, and currently looking into transition. You might find this link usefull
http://tvchix.com/forum/topic.php?tid=98755
Hope this helps,
Louise xx
hey, north west too here (something in the water?) I havent been to my doctor about gendery stuff yet so not sure how much help anything i can say will be, but getting refered for depression took about 6 week or something, and they prescribed me stuff way before that, but the most important thing seemed to be knowing what you want and being able to explain stuff to them. or failing that, ask for another doctor to see you .. some seem more competent in some areas than others ( and some dont seem to have a clue)
So how do you start the private route then?i dont fancy doing that real life test before I get any real treatment.
Quote from: Siobhan on May 04, 2012, 12:19:14 PM
So how do you start the private route then?i dont fancy doing that real life test before I get any real treatment.
Google around for local gender specialists, or if you can travel to London where there are a number of different options. In no particular order of anything, nor of endorsement, Dr. Michael Perring, Dr. Richard Curtis and Dr. Stuart Lorimer have private practices in London. Read around the forums here, google them, ask your friends, then pick up the phone and make an appointment :)
My initial appointment was scheduled on my first call for a week and a half later. If you've already been working with a therapist who meets SoC requirements for HRT recommendations, then great. If not they should all be able to point you to someone who does.
Good Luck!
Please excuse my lateness.
Recently I did some research for a local NHS shrink, discovered one at the MRI thought their waiting list is about a year! Seriously? That long?? WTH. I kindly explained my predicament, expressing I'm sick of being put on the back-burner whilst doctors find the balls to do actual work! I know there's many huddles to jump and they all entail extensive waiting times. Then kindly asked for alternative routes for a seeking a therapist... they suggested I go check:
http://www.cosrt.org.uk/ (http://www.cosrt.org.uk/)
also, one might wish to search here
(by postcode) http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/ (http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/)
I still not being in contacted with my GP, however they must do the initial referring even for private treatments... what teh... so much sucky bs. :o
Good Luck! :)
Thanks, Im going to check that list out, cant see if any specialise in gid issues though, or even do that at all.
You can also try http://www.pinktherapy.com/ (http://www.pinktherapy.com/) takes a bit more time to sift through everyone listed but they also put up their relevant experience too (so you can find someone who's actually lived it too and didn't just read about it in a book)
Socialized medicine ::)
Quote from: Jamie D on May 07, 2012, 04:34:12 AM
Socialized medicine ::)
It's done me OK so far.. Admittedly I'm in Australia though..
FML... I hate the UK system!!!
Quote from: Jamie D on May 07, 2012, 04:34:12 AM
Socialized medicine ::)
Done me pretty well also.
Though those who have to still put up with the likes of me and Stephen Hawking might disgaree. ;D
They are useless. But don't pretend that privatized healthcare is any better those ->-bleeped-<--heads would just leave you to die. While it's against the rules I suggest you do it yourself get hormones however you can take them and transition and live your own life, Nobody will help you.
I was 20 when I went to them the first GP I went to there was unhelpful and mean spirited voicing his hostility to transsexuals, he said he'd refer me on but he didn't.
I then started self-medicating a year and a half after that and transitioned without them
After 9 months HRT starting to live full time I went in to speak to a different GP he was better. He initially referred me onto a local mental health specialist which took about a month. He told me he thought I had gender dysphora and not schizophrenia or anything like that.
They then sent off for funding at the PCT this took nearly 8 months. Once the funding was approved I was given an appointment at charing cross 9 months later. I went to that appointment it lasted 20 minutes he basically asked about my history, then suggested I get a blood test and gave me the form for one of those. And said I need to come back for a second opinion in there next appointment which was 5 months later. I've not had a chance to goto that one yet I don't know if they've gotten my blood test results they don't answer the phone.
Utterly useless I was 20 when I first asked for help, 22/23 when I went full time I'm 25 now and I've still not been "formally" prescribed HRT. Most transwomen on here have not only transitioned after I have but have had SRS and moved on.
I sincerely don't think any hope is coming I'm alone in this and any action must be made by me.
Pebbles.
I strongly suggest you contact Charing Cross and make another appointment now.
They will have your results by now and in any case, they won't be necessary for the second opinion.
I know its frustrating, but the reasons such procedures are so difficult to get is to stop time wasters or those who might later say, it seemed a good idea at the time.
For the record, the private route is also available over here. There's a bucket load of private insurance available for those who want to pay. And many jobs, organisations, even unions, offer Bupa coverage as one of their perks.
The problem with those, mainly in the US, who attack what they call socialised medicine is a bit of a mystery. (Actually, politeness and the rules here prevent anything more clear). It makes no difference to those who want or receive private medicine. Both work equally well, side by side.
Well I've ordered hrt meds from an online pharmacy, im not waiting years, i want to get with things and have a life. Ive started saving for ffs and laser too.I will still pursue the nhs route but do so as I get things done my own way.
Ah the NHS, they'll fix your broken arm, cure your disease, prescribe you the medicine that you need all quickly efficiently and free. But if you hae any form of mental health problem you are pretty much screwed!
El really has summed it up.
Those of us who've had to deal with mental health issues know the experiences of being pushed to the most junior incompetent they think they can get away with.
In the case of Pebbles though, I really think she can get things moving with some gentle naggs.
Transgender is a little different from other mental illnesses, in that, it tends to be something that has an identifiable solution. But gentle persuasion will still be needed.
Charing cross are difficult to say the least. Ive heard nothing but good from people that have been there and are receiving treatment however their admin is sloppy, they never answer the phones and they combine this accidental gate keeping with intentional gate keeping (which if the place was properly run is definitely warranted to prevent "regretters") resulting in people who need help not receiving it.
Quote from: El on May 08, 2012, 12:12:18 PM
Ah the NHS, they'll fix your broken arm, cure your disease, prescribe you the medicine that you need all quickly efficiently and free. But if you hae any form of mental health problem you are pretty much screwed!
Thanks for boosting my already depletion confidence in the system. ;)
Ye.. it sucks soo much, it can't suck any more can it?
akira
It's a matter of playing the system. As El points out, it is top heavy with administrators who seem at least, to have an agenda, though I personally suspect they are simply so busy building their own little empires that proper admin is neglected. It is almost impossible to complain simply because few medical professionals want to risk upsetting their administrators.
I had a surgeon dealing with me in 2000 who was known to be unpopular with her admins. I wrote to her about something and she didn't receive the letter. After about 6 months, I went personally and discovered it had simply been lost in an over complicated system.
It is made the worse for those dealing with any mental health issues, simply because this group are so easy to label as problematic.
As transgender, you have an advantage, firstly, your treatment is predictable, Secondly, other problems associated with mental health are not always so evident.
Now, be polite, persistent and contact people. Pebbles, for example, is waiting for her blood test results. These will have been sent some time ago. She needs to contact the Dr concerned, directly, if possible, and remind them that she is still there.
I appreciate that some might claim this is evidence of the general problems associated with an NHS. The reality is, these are problems associated with British and especially English society. This is clearly evident by looking at other, similar NHS's in other societies. I know of an African country that has a very good NHS, in theory. There are some enormous problems with some quite unpleasant consequences. Only when you look at these in the context of that society can they be understood.
The solutions to all societies problems are found by looking more closely at the actual society and the various local cultures. Political dogma is part of a problem, never a solution.
Quote from: El on May 08, 2012, 12:12:18 PM
Ah the NHS, they'll fix your broken arm, cure your disease, prescribe you the medicine that you need all quickly efficiently and free. But if you hae any form of mental health problem you are pretty much screwed!
Quote from: akira on May 07, 2012, 06:11:44 AM
FML... I hate the UK system!!!
I hated the U.K NHS GIC system too! at the time I was at the London GIC I had done two years of RLT, changed my name etc and they still wouldn't start me on HRT. I had to go private to start on HRT. The NHS GIC psych's try and play god with your lives and can drive some people to severe depression.
In my opinion the U.K NHS system sucks and it needs a lot of careful upgrading, both in the way patients are treated on a personal level and the standard of psychiatry also needs upgrading too. In comparison we are 20 years behind countries like Holland, Germany and the USA regarding the treatment of Gender Dysphoria.
It makes it even more of an insult to injury that my views on the NHS as a whole are extremely favorable. In my 23 years on this earth i have probably spent more time in hospitals etc than a lot of older people and the NHS has treated me efficiently nearly every step of the way. Why this does not translate over to the GIC side of things I don't know............
Quote from: Siobhan on May 08, 2012, 11:53:00 AM
Well I've ordered hrt meds from an online pharmacy, im not waiting years, i want to get with things and have a life. Ive started saving for ffs and laser too.I will still pursue the nhs route but do so as I get things done my own way.
I did this too at the beginning of my transition.
The nearest Gender Clinic to me (the Sandyford in Glasgow) has a waiting list in excess of 6 months, and I wasn't going to wait that long. The receptionist actually said that sometimes the waiting times are extended to ensure that the people who turn up to their appointments are fully committed to transitioning and haven't scheduled a meeting in a pique of depression/questioning/desperation.
Quote from: El on May 09, 2012, 07:32:03 AM
It makes it even more of an insult to injury that my views on the NHS as a whole are extremely favorable. In my 23 years on this earth i have probably spent more time in hospitals etc than a lot of older people and the NHS has treated me efficiently nearly every step of the way. Why this does not translate over to the GIC side of things I don't know............
I also have a favourable opinion of the NHS, but I think that whereas a broken bone, fever, ailment are generally straightforward to diagnose and fix, mental health problems are much more difficult to identify and treat. Normally they require a lot of conversation and interaction to build up a relationship in order to identify the problem but this in turn requires a lot of effort and slows down patient turnover.
But also, the treatment of Gender dysphoria is still a relatively unexplored subject and its only in the past 30 or 40 years that advances have been made and its becoming more acceptable in society.
X
Quote from: spacial on May 08, 2012, 12:28:34 PM
El really has summed it up.
Those of us who've had to deal with mental health issues know the experiences of being pushed to the most junior incompetent they think they can get away with.
In the case of Pebbles though, I really think she can get things moving with some gentle naggs.
Transgender is a little different from other mental illnesses, in that, it tends to be something that has an identifiable solution. But gentle persuasion will still be needed.
My wording in my post was unintentionally obtuse My second appointment is in august. my first was in march this year. hence why I've not had a chance to talk to them yet.
Another good UK resource:
http://www.nuttycats.com (http://www.nuttycats.com)
You need to apply for membership but it is a great and very friendly site.
Caroline
Quote from: El on May 09, 2012, 07:32:03 AM
It makes it even more of an insult to injury that my views on the NHS as a whole are extremely favorable. In my 23 years on this earth i have probably spent more time in hospitals etc than a lot of older people and the NHS has treated me efficiently nearly every step of the way. Why this does not translate over to the GIC side of things I don't know............
Thank you for all the various replies. I'm sorry for not getting back sooner but I've been away. Subsequently I've been going through a major path of self-discovery...
Since posting this thread there have been some progress!!! I've seen a shrink, been refereed to charing cross and now I'm back in the waiting game once again.. So much fun! ::)
Another North West girl here,my experience with NHS
August 1989 saw GP about gender dysphoria started growing hair out
October 1989 saw local psychiatrist who threatened to section me,went back to GP for referral to someone prepared to treat me
January 1990 self medicated(I know you shouldn't) started electrolysis lived in role at nights and socialised on gay scene
May 1991 finally got appointment at Charing Cross
September 1991 changed gender roles prescribed HRT and Androcur
January 1992 started speech therapy
October 1993 referred for surgery
December 1994 GRS
I know it was a long time ago I had hoped things would have improved,good luck and best wishes
Glad to hear you've made some progress. :)
However, I thought (what with everything you've already been through) that you may want know that there's currently a waiting list problem at Charing Cross. You might want to investigate alternatives.
I too was referred to Charing Cross last year, but they haven't even processed my paperwork yet despite having received it more than 6 months ago. I've chased them up a couple of times and they've admitted that they've been overwhelmed by an inordinately large number of new referrals. They've also had some problems with admin staff shortagess... so to cut a long story short, they have a massive backlog of new cases and new patients are having to wait much longer than usual to be seen. They're trying to recruit more staff but a lot of people who were referred recently may not get to see anyone until 2014.
So I investigated the other GICs near me and have asked my GP to refer me to one that only has a waiting list of a month (two weeks if you're desperate!) for new referrals. So if you haven't yet received your appointment from Charing Cross, you might want to ring them to check on the progress of your referral to see if you're in the same boat as me. Then ring the other GICs and see what their waiting times are like. You might save yourself many months of waiting. ;)
Quote from: FTMDiaries on February 17, 2013, 11:48:29 AM
Glad to hear you've made some progress. :)
However, I thought (what with everything you've already been through) that you may want know that there's currently a waiting list problem at Charing Cross. You might want to investigate alternatives.
I too was referred to Charing Cross last year, but they haven't even processed my paperwork yet despite having received it more than 6 months ago. I've chased them up a couple of times and they've admitted that they've been overwhelmed by an inordinately large number of new referrals. They've also had some problems with admin staff shortagess... so to cut a long story short, they have a massive backlog of new cases and new patients are having to wait much longer than usual to be seen. They're trying to recruit more staff but a lot of people who were referred recently may not get to see anyone until 2014.
So I investigated the other GICs near me and have asked my GP to refer me to one that only has a waiting list of a month (two weeks if you're desperate!) for new referrals. So if you haven't yet received your appointment from Charing Cross, you might want to ring them to check on the progress of your referral to see if you're in the same boat as me. Then ring the other GICs and see what their waiting times are like. You might save yourself many months of waiting. ;)
Thanks for the heads up. My shrink informs me the alternative would be Leeds and they currently have a seven year waiting list (OMFG!!)
Though if you read
here (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,135830.msg1087592.html#msg1087592) you'll know what's been happening... and what's coming - I'm beginning to think I'm created with damaged parts :(
Quote from: akira on February 17, 2013, 09:16:49 PM
Thanks for the heads up. My shrink informs me the alternative would be Leeds and they currently have a seven year waiting list (OMFG!!)
Though if you read here (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,135830.msg1087592.html#msg1087592) you'll know what's been happening... and what's coming - I'm beginning to think I'm created with damaged parts :(
Ouch! You've certainly been through the wringer already. :(
In my experience, shrinks don't actually have a clue about waiting times at GICs. It might not hurt to call Leeds and get the truth from them. You can also ask to be put on a list for cancellations so if someone drops out you can get in earlier. Or try out a private gender therapist if you can afford it.
The only way to get anything done on the NHS is to nag them: they're quite happy to ignore you if you don't kick up a fuss. Persistence pays off. ;)
Quote from: FTMDiaries on February 18, 2013, 04:28:11 AM
Ouch! You've certainly been through the wringer already. :(
In my experience, shrinks don't actually have a clue about waiting times at GICs. It might not hurt to call Leeds and get the truth from them. You can also ask to be put on a list for cancellations so if someone drops out you can get in earlier. Or try out a private gender therapist if you can afford it.
The only way to get anything done on the NHS is to nag them: they're quite happy to ignore you if you don't kick up a fuss. Persistence pays off. ;)
Sorry, I mistyped. They're not a "shrink" as I first wrote but PST.
Quote from: El on May 08, 2012, 12:12:18 PM
Ah the NHS, they'll fix your broken arm, cure your disease, prescribe you the medicine that you need all quickly efficiently and free. But if you hae any form of mental health problem you are pretty much screwed!
Absolutely! one whiff of gender dysphoria and they don't want to know. My GP said once 'I have real patients to see', in other words what we have is not a genuine medical condition to GP's. The U.K sucks!
I'm self medicating, 13 years after my original GD dignosis. Incredible isn't it?
So to answer the question 'Anyone from England?? What are the Procedures'? you mostly get screwed they are the NHS procedures! private is much better but have you got the finances?