Calling all UK- NHS patients, how long from referral from your GP till you finally got GRS?, for those of you still on the pathway, how long from referral from your GP to your first GIC appointment, and maybe even timescales to milestones like getting your GRC, etc? Thanks for sharing with us your experiences! :)
Saw my GP in August 1989,got referred to Caring Cross October 89, first appointment May 1991 got surgery December 1994.I hope times have improved!
Initial GP talk/referral to Charging Cross July 2012.
First GIC appt April 2013.
First surgical opinion April 2014, next one due in a few months so I expect surgery by Xmas or shortly thereafter.
Interesting timescales, seems the referral part of the process has lengthened but times after first visitar GIC to surgery have decreased... Any more people? Please share, thank you ladies.
Bump up!
You might want to check how many surgeons are currently doing SRS for the NHS.
Quote from: kelly_aus on May 07, 2014, 06:47:17 AM
You might want to check how many surgeons are currently doing SRS for the NHS.
Well... since you ask. The same two who have been doing it for 10 years-ish are still doing it. Mr Thomas at Brighton/Charing, Mr Bellringer now at Parkside formerly at Charing. There is at least one additional surgeon (a lady this time, name unknown) who will be up and running at Charing shortly. There is a rumoured second "trainee" for Charing as well. In addition there is Mr Fenton in Wakefield who does not do a great deal of SRS but does contract to the local GICs in Sheffield or possibly Leeds.
So in summary - we still have the two we have had for a while with one definite extra and possibly another and Mr Fenton dipping in and out. Call it four on average and remember that the word "trainee" applies to someone who is
already a skilled surgeon in their own right but is actually cross-training to a speciality.
I hadn't heard Bellringer was doing it at his new location.. And I thought Thomas only did 1 day a week?
Quote from: kelly_aus on May 07, 2014, 07:16:36 AM
I hadn't heard Bellringer was doing it at his new location.. And I thought Thomas only did 1 day a week?
Mr Thomas does one day per week
at Charing and does his other operations at the Nuffield in Brighton.
Mr Bellinringer's website says
" ... patients booked into clinics to see Mr. Bellringer, are being contacted to ask whether they wish to stay with Charing Cross, with inevitable delay before treatment, or transfer to Parkside." http://www.bellringers.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/styled-10/index.html
I sometimes think that people outside the UK think our medical system is a complete basketcase, but those outside only hear the gripes, moans and whines some of which are caused by unreasonable demands not being met. I would far, far rather have surgery with a UK surgeon than one overseas. At least I know they are accredited and that a grievance procedure exists in case of surgical screw-ups
15 mounths total
June last year Doctor visit
One mounth later psych evaluation, an refferal if apropriate
One mounth later I received a letter informing me the maximum number of patients had been met that year, and that I would definately be seen in the next finacial year.
Received a letter in may just gone, I have my first apoinment with the gender identity service in august.
We get six mounthst therapy amoungst other things. (Grooming is our own respocibility but salons and services are recomended)
We need to have been on hrt for atleast a year and to be active in to roll also in this time before srs. Vulantry work, and atending schools colages ect cetera count. Its so we can provide proof of social transition.
Time scales vary from patient to patient depending on personal needs :) and adjustments.
OT - currently the nhs receive funding for 160 patients a year.
I never said anything about the NHS being a basketcase.. But it appears I had incomplete info, which is why I asked the question the way I did.
Quote from: kelly_aus on May 07, 2014, 07:48:14 AM
I never said anything about the NHS being a basketcase.. But it appears I had incomplete info, which is why I asked the question the way I did.
It was a general comment, not directed at you. Sorry for any confusion.
Quote from: ctxpyg on May 07, 2014, 07:28:55 AM
Mr Thomas does one day per week at Charing and does his other operations at the Nuffield in Brighton.
Mr Bellinringer's website says " ... patients booked into clinics to see Mr. Bellringer, are being contacted to ask whether they wish to stay with Charing Cross, with inevitable delay before treatment, or transfer to Parkside." http://www.bellringers.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/styled-10/index.html
I sometimes think that people outside the UK think our medical system is a complete basketcase, but those outside only hear the gripes, moans and whines some of which are caused by unreasonable demands not being met. I would far, far rather have surgery with a UK surgeon than one overseas. At least I know they are accredited and that a grievance procedure exists in case of surgical screw-ups
Yes, just a few days ago I clued myself up about the issue, apparently Bellringer has gone to Parkside as cpxty says, will still be doing NHS funded ops but only at the private hospital, Mr Thomas who was doing 1 day a week at charing cross and the rest of his work at Nuffield (he also takes NHS funded patients at Nuffield , particularly from Leeds GIC) is bumping up his days at Charing Cross to 2 a week while he is training 2 new surgeons, one (I believe her last name is Rajid) will be taking over Bellringer's permanent spot at Charing Cross and the other (name unknown, also in training) will be kept at Charing Cross until the backlog of people who were on the waiting list and not able or willing to go to Parkside is back to standard, after that he will be going private.
This big issue has only impacted Charing Cross patients, patients at other GIC's are being referred for surgery as normal, Leeds and Sheffield mainly refer to Mr. Thomas at Nuffield, Charing Cross should be back to business as usual and tackling the backlog from September....
I am not willing to go to Thailand for my GRS, why? It doesn't feel right to me and I want any need for revision to be able to be taken care of easily at home by the NHS. I am originally from the US, care in England by the NHS is not bad at all and can't believe when I hear people complain about it, back in California I ended up with a 2500 dollar bill just to visit the ER over some really bad cramps, people are scared of being picked up by ambulances cause even the ambulance trip is gonna put u in debt... And obamacare seems to be failing although it has helped many with pre existing conditions get help. So believe me , there's nothing wrong with the NHS, a few of the buildings are dated and all that, but who really cares, anyway I digress,
Quote from: ButterflyVickster on May 07, 2014, 07:45:46 AM
15 mounths total
June last year Doctor visit
One mounth later psych evaluation, an refferal if apropriate
One mounth later I received a letter informing me the maximum number of patients had been met that year, and that I would definately be seen in the next finacial year.
Received a letter in may just gone, I have my first apoinment with the gender identity service in august.
We get six mounthst therapy amoungst other things. (Grooming is our own respocibility but salons and services are recomended)
We need to have been on hrt for atleast a year and to be active in to roll also in this time before srs. Vulantry work, and atending schools colages ect cetera count. Its so we can provide proof of social transition.
Time scales vary from patient to patient depending on personal needs :) and adjustments.
OT - currently the nhs receive funding for 160 patients a year.
Hi Butterflyvickster!!
This post of yours is super interesting to me, because I was referred to the GIC maybe some 3 months after you, I'm eagerly waiting for my first appointment, which GIC where you preferred to btw? I'm gonna be going to Leeds GIC, when I got referred I was told about the long waiting list and about the 160 patients a year, I'm still waiting for news. I don't mind being told it's gonna be December so long I finally get a date...
Carly x
I think the new surgeons being "up and running shortly" may be a bit optimistic. From what was put to me earlier this week, PT has already been training someone at Brighton anyway, and is now also training this new female surgeon at CX.
Having said that, CX Admissions are now actually giving out dates for surgery again, so things are moving again if slowly.
Quote from: calicarly on May 08, 2014, 12:56:42 AM
Hi Butterflyvickster!!
This post of yours is super interesting to me, because I was referred to the GIC maybe some 3 months after you, I'm eagerly waiting for my first appointment, which GIC where you preferred to btw? I'm gonna be going to Leeds GIC, when I got referred I was told about the long waiting list and about the 160 patients a year, I'm still waiting for news. I don't mind being told it's gonna be December so long I finally get a date...
Carly x
ikr that waiting omg. its even worse when it gets to a time you can start exspecting. and ill be leeds too fyi :p
Quote from: Keroppi on May 09, 2014, 06:32:27 PM
I think the new surgeons being "up and running shortly" may be a bit optimistic. From what was put to me earlier this week, PT has already been training someone at Brighton anyway, and is now also training this new female surgeon at CX.
Having said that, CX Admissions are now actually giving out dates for surgery again, so things are moving again if slowly.
I don't think September sounds like up and running shortly, it's still 4 months away!! Lol But it's good that your sources say they are starting to give out dates again, Charing Cross patients waiting for surgery referral can breathe again... :)
First GP appointment in 2008, got no-where, was misinformed as was my GP.
Second attempt at GP at the end of 2009. Got referred to local gender specialist.
April 2010, first appointment with local specialists, wrote me a charing cross referral straight away.
At this point in time my local specialist has send 5 separate referrals to ChX. Repeatedly told they had no record of me being referred, 2 formal complaints made by my local specialists about the extreme delays. 9 months ago they finally sent me a consent form and appointment request form which i sent back to them. Got a letter from them last week saying I didn't send a consent form. Luckily a local endo has been prescribing me e-patches for the last year. So yea, I've been waiting over 4 years for my first ChX appointment. Not best pleased (understatement of the year)
Quote from: El on May 14, 2014, 07:35:15 AM
First GP appointment in 2008, got no-where, was misinformed as was my GP.
Second attempt at GP at the end of 2009. Got referred to local gender specialist.
April 2010, first appointment with local specialists, wrote me a charing cross referral straight away.
At this point in time my local specialist has send 5 separate referrals to ChX. Repeatedly told they had no record of me being referred, 2 formal complaints made by my local specialists about the extreme delays. 9 months ago they finally sent me a consent form and appointment request form which i sent back to them. Got a letter from them last week saying I didn't send a consent form. Luckily a local endo has been prescribing me e-patches for the last year. So yea, I've been waiting over 4 years for my first ChX appointment. Not best pleased (understatement of the year)
I Was scarred of this hapening to me.
I Think seemed impatient all the times I was like I Need more details no letters yet. So I contacred the NHS GIS information center via email myself :).
Quote from: El on May 14, 2014, 07:35:15 AM
First GP appointment in 2008, got no-where, was misinformed as was my GP.
Second attempt at GP at the end of 2009. Got referred to local gender specialist.
April 2010, first appointment with local specialists, wrote me a charing cross referral straight away.
At this point in time my local specialist has send 5 separate referrals to ChX. Repeatedly told they had no record of me being referred, 2 formal complaints made by my local specialists about the extreme delays. 9 months ago they finally sent me a consent form and appointment request form which i sent back to them. Got a letter from them last week saying I didn't send a consent form. Luckily a local endo has been prescribing me e-patches for the last year. So yea, I've been waiting over 4 years for my first ChX appointment. Not best pleased (understatement of the year)
Omg that's right down scary!
I have friends on the nhs system and I have seen the problems they have/ had my advise is mange your transtion dont let the system mange your transtion don't let things drop or get delayed ask pester but be polite.
Xxx
Hi, I thought I should reply and haven't been very active recently. I believe I only took approximately 7 months from GP referral to initial consultation. My GP and myself enquired and applied for 3 clinics , and Nottingham luckily had a spot very quickly, but I believe I was lucky and referred at the right time of the year. Also my GP was extremely supportive, he had one previous patient who he had helped from initial consult to post-op. I also chased and enquired at the individual clinics and found that my primary care trust had a service agreement in place with Nottingham, so I was able to bypass the local assessment.
I had 3 assessments, with Nottingham approximately 3 months apart, including one that had a relative (mum) invited, she could describe some of my past behaviours. I was finally accepted on the care pathway, I transitioned full time between the second and third appointment.
Following this I have been full time for nearly 18 months. I asked for a surgical letter at 12 months for BA. I am within a couple of weeks having my final assessment for my GRS letter, for surgery later in the year. However I have been told that if I was going NHS I would have to wait another year before they would refer me for surgical assessment, 6 months – 12 months till I actually saw a surgeon and a further year till I got the surgery. For that reason I'm going private, hopefully with Bellringer at Parkside.
My advice is the same as Julieb1, enquire at other clinics, see if there is ways you can access a referral from your GP to the clinics without local assessment. Ask for several referrals, I was already having my second consult with Nottingham before Leeds offered me one with them and that was still for several months in the future. Of course as soon as Leeds offered me a place I replied ASAP to decline to prevent wasting any more time for someone else. Medically I had started hormones prior to Nottingham, from a private clinic, and Nottingham took over control and care. In general I have interspaced NHS care with private care to speed things along when I could, if you can do this I recommend it.
Quote from: RachelH on May 19, 2014, 04:32:17 PM
Hi, I thought I should reply and haven't been very active recently. I believe I only took approximately 7 months from GP referral to initial consultation. My GP and myself enquired and applied for 3 clinics , and Nottingham luckily had a spot very quickly, but I believe I was lucky and referred at the right time of the year. Also my GP was extremely supportive, he had one previous patient who he had helped from initial consult to post-op. I also chased and enquired at the individual clinics and found that my primary care trust had a service agreement in place with Nottingham, so I was able to bypass the local assessment.
I had 3 assessments, with Nottingham approximately 3 months apart, including one that had a relative (mum) invited, she could describe some of my past behaviours. I was finally accepted on the care pathway, I transitioned full time between the second and third appointment.
Following this I have been full time for nearly 18 months. I asked for a surgical letter at 12 months for BA. I am within a couple of weeks having my final assessment for my GRS letter, for surgery later in the year. However I have been told that if I was going NHS I would have to wait another year before they would refer me for surgical assessment, 6 months – 12 months till I actually saw a surgeon and a further year till I got the surgery. For that reason I'm going private, hopefully with Bellringer at Parkside.
My advice is the same as Julieb1, enquire at other clinics, see if there is ways you can access a referral from your GP to the clinics without local assessment. Ask for several referrals, I was already having my second consult with Nottingham before Leeds offered me one with them and that was still for several months in the future. Of course as soon as Leeds offered me a place I replied ASAP to decline to prevent wasting any more time for someone else. Medically I had started hormones prior to Nottingham, from a private clinic, and Nottingham took over control and care. In general I have interspaced NHS care with private care to speed things along when I could, if you can do this I recommend it.
Thank you for the advice, since your answers I have now gotten in Nottingham's waiting list as Leeds said it would be yet another year and a half for me to be seen on top of the 6 months I had already waited for, did you receive some kind of acknowledgement letter from Nottingham GIC Once you were referred? I haven't received any yet?
I would like to share a link, it is an e-petition to solve the increasing waiting list for GRS surgery in the UK, if anyone would like to sign it and sign up for updates on it please go to:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/67535
It's a safe, government site so your signature can only help. It is for UK residents only.
i was referred to a local mental health clinic 3 month after to see wether i was suitable to be referred to charring cross. the referal to charring cross went through 3 days after my local mental health screening that was october the 14th 2013 and i am still waiting just to get a letter with my appointment date on my gp surgery are trying to chase it up but they have real problems just getting sombody to pick the fone up at charing cross i do have the opportunity to see a private psychotherapist with experience in gender issues but i feel i must be getting through the waiting list by this time and i pay money into the nhs so why should pay. what does every one else think? and it would make money really tight.
sorry for the slight thread hijacking :-* :-* :-*
i suppose this is made worse by me stipulating a female doctor so this would mean a i would be one of tina rashid's patients?
Quote from: calicarly on July 20, 2014, 04:16:54 PM
Thank you for the advice, since your answers I have now gotten in Nottingham's waiting list as Leeds said it would be yet another year and a half for me to be seen on top of the 6 months I had already waited for, did you receive some kind of acknowledgement letter from Nottingham GIC Once you were referred? I haven't received any yet?
Yes once I was referred I received a letter with my first assessment time, and what to expect. Following the successful assessment period they will write a letter to your GP confirming that you have gender dysphoria, and asking your GP to conduct blood, hormone and liver tests. On confirmation that they are ok the HRT can finally begin, and then start to smile, as you are truly on your way :)
Sorry to hijack the thread, I just wanted to know if facial hair removal funding can be obtained through GP? My gender therapist didn't want to request funding for nearly anything I asked for, saying I have to be six months with them before they can do it, he said it's the procedures. Is it true though? Moreover, can you ask for pubic hair removal if you aren't planning to having SRS with the NHS? Thank you, x
Your doctor can get your your laser treatment but it's the same as try to get your hrt for the nhs to find it you have to wait for your psychotherapist to agree you are suitable for treatment.
If you are desperate for hair removal have you thought about funding it your self Iv fount prices from clinics in Cambridge that start at about £30 per session
Thanks for the info, I'll look into that :)
Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 21, 2014, 05:35:09 AM
Thanks for the info, I'll look into that :)
Wow Iv actually given somebody some useful advice that doesn't happen often on here it's normally the other way round
Quote from: Samantha007 on July 21, 2014, 05:44:02 AM
I heard the new surgeon at CX is really good, though she doesn't have that much experience as she has just finished her training on srs.
hugs,
Samantha x
She also looks like somebody I could really feel constable around if you know what I mean
You are allowed 8 sessions of hair removal on the NHS. As my doctor told me last month, then adding that he thought it was a little to late for me! ::)
Quote from: Elanore joey on July 21, 2014, 05:46:09 AM
Wow Iv actually given somebody some useful advice that doesn't happen often on here it's normally the other way round
The further you transition the more useful experiences you will have to share. Also the turnaround for people on this site is a couple of years, and then the next generation then takes over answering pretty much the same questions as we asked previously. Useless fact but there you are lol!
Quote from: Samantha007 on July 21, 2014, 05:57:56 AM
Sorry to say this , but although Bellringer was good at what he did, he was the biggest f***ing arrogant c*nt you could come across. My goodness! Hopefully the new surgeon will be more approachable as SRS patients do need someone like that!
hugs,
Samantha xx
I quite liked him, ah well! lol
Quote from: Elanore joey on July 21, 2014, 05:46:09 AM
Wow Iv actually given somebody some useful advice that doesn't happen often on here it's normally the other way round
of course you're really helpful! thanks <3
Quote from: RachelH on July 21, 2014, 05:56:15 AM
You are allowed 8 sessions of hair removal on the NHS. As my doctor told me last month, then adding that he thought it was a little to late for me! ::)
What did he mean though?
Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 21, 2014, 06:43:32 AM
What did he mean though?
I already have had all my facial hair removed, so too late to use the service!
i feels like it going to take the rest of my life just to get my first appointment.
everyday is mentally exhausting
i thought doctors took a oath and th efirst part of that oath is first do not harm by doing nothing it feels they are doing harm to my mental health and my antidepressant dont feel like they are doing anything any more.
Is there any way to speed things up when it comes to requesting certain services that require NHS funding? thanks, x
Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 22, 2014, 12:22:50 PM
Is there any way to speed things up when it comes to requesting certain services that require NHS funding? thanks, x
i wish there was
Quote from: Elanore joey on July 21, 2014, 02:38:00 PM
everyday is mentally exhausting
i thought doctors took a oath and th efirst part of that oath is first do not harm by doing nothing it feels they are doing harm to my mental health and my antidepressant dont feel like they are doing anything any more.
I wrote a huge response to quite a few of the posts earlier and somehow it vanished!
Anyway, i agree that everyday in waiting is mentally exhausting but I first transitioned and started full time 5 + years ago, except I couldn't access NHS care at all for a while due to the fact that I was born outside the UK and my residency took time to come through , it eventually did in the middle of last year, and then I was able to go see a GP, the GP I have is a wonderful Dr and very supportive, I am in bridging HRT, since last year the guidelines changed and Doctors are allowed to put patients on what they call bridging HRT to keep you going until such time u are taken over by the GIC you have been referred to, and to stop a lot of people from self medicating without monitoring, however! This new bridging system is only abailable IF, your Doctor is extremely supportive and particularly for those who are already on RLE or have been for a while, like said, here I am transitioned 5 years on, big ole boobs, not expecting any more changes from HRT as that has been maxed out (I am very happy with the results) and yet no GRS in sight, daunting thought right? But I am sharing all this info about myself ladies just so you have some hope, I am now hopeful thanks to my GP, I can only wait. But it definitely is a painful wait, I am so anxious to feel and be finally complete, but I know it will come and I am grateful that It will. So don't lose hope darlings.
Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 22, 2014, 12:22:50 PM
Is there any way to speed things up when it comes to requesting certain services that require NHS funding? thanks, x
I don't think so crow crow, apart from the bridging HRT I would imagine you have to be assessed by the GIC team for any other treatment.. But I could be wrong, and enquiring with your GP is simply the best way to find out! Always ask! You don't lose anything, the worst that will happen is you get told no and have to wait till the GIC gives you the go.
I saw my doctor yday and he definitely referred me to Nottingham GIC, so I am hoping to hear from them soon, as things are now I would be seen by them still in half the time than Leeds would, even after the 8 months or so I've waited on their list, my GP also has changed my HRT to a more effective approach which includes a combination of patches and oral. Which I am looking forward to see if this is a better way of delivery.
I've also heard all good things about the new surgeon at CHX, I also heard that there was another recently trained surgeon who was gonna be working part time for CHX to tackle NHS backlogs and get it all up to date and then he would move on to private practice (all this is info I read somewhere so I can't verify or say that it is true) on the meantime please make sure you ladies sign the e-petition I shared earlier on the thread, even if you aren't at the point where you're being referred for surgery or you are past it, please let's do it for our sisters who are anxiously waiting with their referral letters in hand. For one day we will be in their place or we have been in their place.
Carly x
Thank You for the response. if I sign the petition, will my name be displayed in any way? x
Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 23, 2014, 10:58:26 AM
Thank You for the response. if I sign the petition, will my name be displayed in any way? x
No, only the number of signatures is displayed to the general public I believe Hun x
Very helpful website to look at: http://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/nhs-publications/
Make sure you check out Guidance for GPs other clinicians on the care of Gender variant People and NHS Funding processes and waiting times for adult users
It kind of made me realise I can try and get certain procedures through my GP. What might help is printing http://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/int-gend-proto.pdf this out, which lists out certain procedures are mandatory and necessary, and maybe this one as well: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/files/pdfversion/CR181.pdf
Make sure you have a look at the beaumont society website as it lists details how to speed things up a bit :)
good luck!
Quote from: crowcrow223 on July 26, 2014, 09:15:38 AM
Very helpful website to look at: http://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/nhs-publications/
Make sure you check out Guidance for GPs other clinicians on the care of Gender variant People and NHS Funding processes and waiting times for adult users
It kind of made me realise I can try and get certain procedures through my GP. What might help is printing http://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/int-gend-proto.pdf this out, which lists out certain procedures are mandatory and necessary, and maybe this one as well: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/files/pdfversion/CR181.pdf
Make sure you have a look at the beaumont society website as it lists details how to speed things up a bit :)
good luck!
Great info crowcrow! Thank you! I am really glad people are sharing links that are useful for everyone and I hope this becomes a resourceful thread for many who seek some guidance through the NHS transition process.
Beware, 1 or 2 of those from the Beaumont society ar now outdated, particularly the one that outlines the NHS processes and waiting times, as PCT's have been abolished and funding for these procedures is a countrywide thing rather than just the PCT's to each area of the country as they used to be, still funding is equally available for the things described in them, if anything it should be more readily available! the one with the guidelines for 2013/14 is the one that can be a true gem for some and it is the one that introduced the current new standard which allows GP's to administer HRT treatment while a person is on the waiting list to a GIC.
Thanks for clearing things up, I knew there was something wrong as the link did not work! So no more postcode lottery? Fair enough :D
If any of you manage to get any progress, let us know in this topic. I have to first print out this gianormous thing out
Hey just FYI ladies, I have a friend ,someone I recently got in touch with due to the fact that she was on one of the waiting lists I'm in as well, her first appointment came up and she even mentioned about hopefully starting a thread in here so those of us who are in waiting lists can have some info and some light at the end of the tunnel, anyhow, she got her first appointment which apparently was an assessment, a generic type of first appointment type thing then a few weeks later she had her second appointment in which it gets decided If she gets accepted into the pathway, she was accepted of course, and they even gave her a tentative date for her surgery. Now this girl I'm mentioning had been under private care while waiting for the GIC to finally take over. So she was well on her way hormonally and RLE and presentation wise, etc when she got seen at the clinic. She did say that for the bad rep some people online give GIC's that she felt they were very nice and caring.
I will not discuss much more of her experience in detail as it is hers to share or not share but I did want to shed some light in the issue and bring forward the fact that things do seem to go ok for some people, she did mention that there seem to be others there who, could have a lot of work ahead transitioning and some who probably need slightly closer monitoring and for a longer period of time before they can be accepted into the pathway, but overall they are fair and allow girls who are certain of their need to transition and have a clear need for it and seem stable minded to go ahead without problems.
I hope this helps, it gives me a lot of hope and it lit up a little more of this tunnel for me. Let's hope that the NHS guidelines this year come forward with some way of helping move waiting lists along a little faster to stop the growing backlog.
thanks Cali, it was helpful!
I just got a letter from the West London Mental Health NHS Trust, I think it's like the head of all GICs in the UK, and they're offering me a workshop. What exactly is that?
I am not sure if I fully understood the letter they've sent me but the first paragraph reads "we are aware you've been waiting a considerable amount of time for an appointment, we'd like to apologise {...)"
But I've already had my first appointment, about a month ago. They must have missed this fact then.
It further says that they want to offer me an appointment, but in the mean time they want to offer me the opportunity to attend a registration workshop at their clinic. Appointments, thereafter, will be offered on the basis of when we received your referral.
Hmm, but they already got it I think? Since I've already seen my gender therapist and things are moving forward.
Is it just a silly mistake or am I missing sth?
Thanks a lot for any input, much appreciated, xx
It isn't the head of GIC's but it is the biggest GIC in the country and the one where most patients from other GIC's in the country go to, for GRS, and probably the longest standing a GIC with the most experience. (How many times can I say GIC in one paragraph? Lol)
In your position I would go ahead and give them a call and also attend the workshop, sometimes we have to do things that may seem unnecessary to get the necessary attention if your schedule allows, the more they see your face around and you become memorable the more they will take care of you and the less excuses they have to have confusions regarding anything with you.
I myself gave Nottigham GIC a call last Thursday, and I was told that I am in their waiting list. They simply don't send any welcome letters or letters of aknowledgement of referral, they just send you an appointment letter a month before your appointment, but I wouldn't have known that if I wouldn't have given them a phone call. If nothing else I am apeaced "for now".
Here is something I am assuming could have something to do with the confusion, have you been accepted into the care pathway already? Or are you still going through assessment ? Call them Hun and ask how come the letter you received mentions about your first appointment but you have already been seen, can they clarify this for you or update the records in their system?
Let us know how that goes x :)
The "workshop" at WLMHT (Charing x) is a new thing where they invite you down to explain the process and answer any questions about transitioning at their GIC.
I never did this, but a friend of mine did it a few weeks ago
Good points Cali, thanks! I'll give them a call, hopefully I won't be put on hold for too long
Aaggat, can You please ask your friend about how did she/he like it and what did she/he do there?
I live quite far from London tbh, and I got pretty much all I wanted from my gender therapist, the rest of what I requested has to go through the panel, which I presume GIC London got nothing to do with as it's more of a local thing, each region got their own panel
She said
" ..... basically went through the welcome pack and invited questions. We also did the initial health checks and did the form filling that is done at the first visit. From my perspective the first assessment is a bit less daunting because I've seen the place and found my way around Fulham Palace Road."
Has anyone has any success in getting seen by Bellringer in Parkside since he resigned from CX? He's the surgeon I've been able to do the most research on and while I don't doubt the other surgeons every bit as good as he it's just a lot more reassuring when you have a much of research to back up your surgeon choice.
Quote from: Nurse With Wound on August 10, 2014, 06:13:52 PM
Has anyone has any success in getting seen by Bellringer in Parkside since he resigned from CX? He's the surgeon I've been able to do the most research on and while I don't doubt the other surgeons every bit as good as he it's just a lot more reassuring when you have a much of research to back up your surgeon choice.
As far as I know, the only ones who have been able to be seen by Bellringer at Parkside were the patients that already had a date for surgery with him. Then they received a letter to let them know he wasn't at Charing Cross and offering them the choice to stick with him and go to Parkside or to change to Phil Thomas at Charing Cross.
As far as I am aware Tina Rashid is still under training for purposes of making her aware of how things work at Charing Cross as her surgery skills obviously are up to par. She is still working closely under the mentorship of Phil Thomas. She will start surgeries all by herself in September/2014 (next month) at a once a week rate. Then in October she will bump that up to two surgeries a week.
Regarding your research on James Bellringer it may be of some consolation to you that Tina Rashid was also trained by Bellringer and not only Phil Thomas, and the 3 of them use the same technique as far as I'm aware.
Hopefully someone who has actually been to see Belllringer at Parkside can enlighten us still though.
Carly x
Quote from: calicarly on August 11, 2014, 04:45:30 PM
As far as I know, the only ones who have been able to be seen by Bellringer at Parkside were the patients that already had a date for surgery with him.
That's how it seems to be playing out to me yeah.
On a related note, this might be a bit crude but does anyone know of somewhere I can find images of the results from Thomas recently and that have healed? Since the few images I have found are either a decade old or not healed. It would be very helpful for me to solidify a choice.
Quote from: Nurse With Wound on August 12, 2014, 05:06:23 PM
That's how it seems to be playing out to me yeah.
On a related note, this might be a bit crude but does anyone know of somewhere I can find images of the results from Thomas recently and that have healed? Since the few images I have found are either a decade old or not healed. It would be very helpful for me to solidify a choice.
It sounds to me like you are planning to go private, if so, I'm sure if you email James Bellringer's team directly that they could supply you with some pictures of results. The problem with the GRS pictures is that most girls aren't willing to share and most post ops from Doctors are still not completely healed. But I would say that would be your safest bet p, to contact surgeons offices directly by email or even a phone call.
C x
The answer will inevitably include something along the line of "everyone's result will be different and depends on your body". What they can give you is a general idea of "it'll look more like this than like that".
I finally have received my long awaited for 1st appointment at the GIC, I am very excited as this will help me see the light at the end of the tunnel for me.
And as a general update, Charing Cross has made public their intention to open up a new full time position for a new surgeon at their hospital for GRS surgeries, yes this on top of the already new allocated Dr. Tina Rashid, this is finally their way of saying they think the new annual /yearly referrals have finally grown enough for there to be 2 full time surgeons performing surgeries at Charing cross, plus the other Drs that serve part time or are referred to through the NHS in the private sector.
Current referrals to GIC's around the country totals at 1500 patients a year, of these, only a fifth translates to actual gender reassignment surgeries. / 300.