Good news for trans folk in England/Wales (not sure whether this applies to Scotland too) - our Dr Dean at The Laurels in Devon is now heading a national steering committee for all the GICs, and they have both laser and electrolysis on their list of things they want to provide as standard, depending on which is needed by the client.

The plan is to get a tender from a national provider (such as The Nuffield) so that whoever provides these services is accredited, works to a consistent standard across the country, has insurance, is accountable, and has a working complaints procedure.

He hopes to have more to tell about this by October. This is great news, because since the disbanding of the PCTs, they haven't even been able to provide laser.  He's very keen to ensure that trans folk all over the country have access to the same standards of care.

It's still a postcode lottery.  For example, My local trust will not fund voice therapy, so I am having to get that service via the GIC in London.  I was told it all depends on what your trust prioritises and what your GP commissions.

With the current shambles of a government, I can't see things improving.

None of this has been set in motion yet, the changes will take a few months to be initiated - but it's very promising that it's recognised that as things stand, people get a very variable quality of service depending on where they live, as you say, and this is exactly what they will be addressing.

i live in edinburgh scotland and the NHS do already pay for voice   and lazer i  have had four sesions  sofar of lazer on NHS  at a privat hospital buper and started voice traing in november  i was told back last september 2012 that it had started in scotland ther is a lot more help in scotland than England for transgender i moved to scotland in 2011 from england as more help and surport in scotland than i found in england even tho i was born in england

I've been battling the NHS to try & get electrolysis & it's been a nightmare lasting 9 months which has gotten me nowhere.

I even sent in photo's of my eczema when it's flared up to show why I can't wear make-up & often can't even shave but it didn't help, they just sent the photo's & appeal back with a letter to say that the rules had been changed 2 day before so they wouldn't consider it.
My GP now has no idea who to write to in an attempt to get this funding, the system is a shambles right now.

This news gives hope that things may improve in the near future, i'll be keeping my fingers crossed for this to succeed

If/when I hear more, I'll keep us posted.