I went to see my doctor again last week to try and push for a referal to CX GIC..
It had been 6 weeks since my last visit when I came out to him, and I'd heared nothing from the physo dept that he'd refered me to..

A few days before this visit I dropped off a letter (explaining in detail how I felt about my gender issues) with his secretary so he would be clued up when he saw me..
That was a very good move.. he had a completly different attitude on this appointment.. He repeatedly said what a good letter it was .. and how helpful it was ..
Well  he said he will refer me to CX (actually dictated the referal letter while I was there) ..
He was true to his word .. today ' he phoned me '.. and said CX have sent him a form to complete .. and he's arranged for a heap of blood test for me.. results to be returned with the form ..
Is this the norm?
I thought the CX GIC first had to assess you .. then you go for blood tests ..
Toni ..

Some set ups like to get the bloods first - that can be useful because it means only one visit before you get prescribed HRT, otherwise it's visit- get bloods - another visit.

Quote from: Ms Grace on May 16, 2014, 04:15:46 AM
Some set ups like to get the bloods first - that can be useful because it means only one visit before you get prescribed HRT, otherwise it's visit- get bloods - another visit.

Thanks Grace.. that sounds like good news then.......

Quote from: Tony2Toni on May 16, 2014, 04:03:54 AM
I went to see my doctor again last week to try and push for a referal to CX GIC..
....
. and he's arranged for a heap of blood test for me.. results to be returned with the form ..
Is this the norm?
...
I thought the CX GIC first had to assess you .. then you go for blood tests ..

Charing will make their own assessment of you and send you to the hospital next door for a blood test of their own. There are two reasons for this

- It allows them to cross-check your GPs results to reassure themselves thatr your GP's results are accurate and can be relied on

- Most non-GIC tests do not include DHT in their battery of tests. Charing will check this.

Personally, I always have a blood done at my GP before I go down to Charing. I find it cuts out a lot of wasted time and it does not give the admin staff a chance to lose the paperwork.

Quote from: Ms Grace on May 16, 2014, 04:15:46 AM
Some set ups like to get the bloods first - that can be useful because it means only one visit before you get prescribed HRT, otherwise it's visit- get bloods - another visit.

That will not happen. You will not get HRT until two assessments have been done. That is Charing's protocol.

Quote from: vukapg on May 16, 2014, 04:58:04 AM
That will not happen. You will not get HRT until two assessments have been done. That is Charing's protocol.

Thanks. Totally unaware of that, obviously, and I apologise for my misinformation. That said, it has been known to happen elsewhere which is why I mentioned it. Sorry, looks like you get trips, Toni. Let us know how it goes.

Quote from: Ms Grace on May 16, 2014, 05:42:17 AM
Thanks. Totally unaware of that, obviously, and I apologise for my misinformation.

No worries ;-)

Quote from: Ms Grace on May 16, 2014, 05:42:17 AMThat said, it has been known to happen elsewhere which is why I mentioned it.

I understand but the NHS is a public health system and tries to ensure that it gets the diagnosis right so they like to cross check the clinicians. Incorrect diagnoses take a lot of time and resource to fix.

Quote from: Ms Grace on May 16, 2014, 05:42:17 AM
Sorry, looks like you get trips, Toni. Let us know how it goes.

Indeed. It is possible to shorten the timescales and it is very, very easy to lengthen them.

To shorten them....

- take blood tests every visit
- change your name before your first visit & your NHS number.
- start changing all your legal paperwork
- never EVER leave the clinic without your next appointment printed out and in your hand.
- do your own admin. The NHS is rubbish at admin. Create a transition folder and put all paperwork in it
- ask for cancelled appointments. People cancel and you can have their appointment slot.
- if you are MTF do not turn up looking very, very blokey (v.v for FTMs)


To lengthen them ....

- demand things from the clinicians, tell them how it is supposed to work
- make no effort to look like you are committed to a transition
- expect the admin to keep track of all your paperwork
- expect your GP to get things right (zero experience - you might be their only trans patient)


Also, having read many responses on this forum (not directed at you Ms Grace, more at the "OMG That is awful" brigade) ..... the "informed consent" option exists as well. Toni can always go to a private clinic and say "Here's my money and here is how I want it done". The NHS does not hand out bills but you have to play by their rules.

To sum up

- Go NHS, slow, bureaucratic, no bills
- Go private, faster, more expensive
- Go private for HRT whilst awaiting NHS commencement, then ditch private. Medium speed, medium cost.

Quote from: vukapg on May 16, 2014, 06:18:22 AM


To shorten them....

- take blood tests every visit
- change your name before your first visit & your NHS number.
- start changing all your legal paperwork
- never EVER leave the clinic without your next appointment printed out and in your hand.
- do your own admin. The NHS is rubbish at admin. Create a transition folder and put all paperwork in it
- ask for cancelled appointments. People cancel and you can have their appointment slot.
- if you are MTF do not turn up looking very, very blokey (v.v for FTMs)

Thanks Vukapg a lot of good info.. Although I think I like Graces answer better ..
You mention changing NHS number.. how you do that ? or does it change when you change your name ?

Quote from: Tony2Toni on May 16, 2014, 09:26:37 AM
Thanks Vukapg a lot of good info.. Although I think I like Graces answer better ..

Crack out the credit card....

Quote from: Tony2Toni on May 16, 2014, 09:26:37 AM
You mention changing NHS number.. how you do that ? or does it change when you change your name ?

There are two ways to change your name - Deed Poll (DP) and Statutory Declaration (SD). Of the two I was told that the GIC (and some others)  prefer the SD over the DP because the SD is done in front of a witness so it is viewed by the GIC as a credible start to RLE. You have actually told someone and sworn out the SD in your female name whereas a DP can be done on-line by filling out a form and having anyone sign it (or fake it).

Whichever you decide, take the DP or SD to your doctor and tell him to change your medical records and request that he changes your gender marker and has a new NHS number issued. There is a protocol for this and they cannot refuse it. http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=x20100810201516329264


Remember that although there is no requirement for RLE in the guidelines they are guidelines and not rules or laws. Clinics are free to amend them in any way. Although you do not have to do RLE, it really helps speed the process up and it is more likely that your 3rd appointment will be with the endo (Dr Seal). For Charing RLE means that you have started the process of social transition which means changing your legal identity. IF you want to wear a dress then that is up to you, but it has nothing to do with RLE. Personally (since it does not bother me) I always wear a dress when going to the GIC and that is one less thing to think about, but most people there are in jeans/trousers.

Thanks again Vukapg..
I've just printed a statutory declaration off the internet.. So next week I'll take it to a solicitor and get it witnessed..
The ball is rolling..................

Toni ...

Quote from: Tony2Toni on May 16, 2014, 11:43:23 AM
I've just printed a statutory declaration off the internet.. So next week I'll take it to a solicitor and get it witnessed..
The ball is rolling..................

Good for you hun xx

More stuff you may find useful

To change all your tax records / benefits / national insurance /etc  go here

https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortforms/form/PAYENICoC?dept-name=PAYENI&sub-dept-name=COC&location=44&origin=http://www.hmrc.gov.uk


After your second assessment at Charing get a letter from the shrink for passport and driving licence. Do the passport FIRST as its identity database and photo is used by the DVLA for your driving licence.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport


Go to the bank and make an appointment to change records. Your Stat Dec will be enough.

Go to the GP and get a new NHS number and your name changed. That way when you are sitting in the doctors waiting room and the sign goes *beep* it will have your female name on it

Get EXTRA copies of the Stat Dec when you swear it out. A few "originals" are better than one because somebody WILL lose them.

If Charing has been contacted then when you get a new NHS number send them a copy of the Stat Dec and a copy of the NHS card and tell them of your change of name. Once you make it official they have to call you by your new name when they shout it out in the waiting room at your appointments.

Quote from: vukapg on May 16, 2014, 11:59:02 AM
Good for you hun xx

More stuff you may find useful

To change all your tax records / benefits / national insurance /etc  go here

https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortforms/form/PAYENICoC?dept-name=PAYENI&sub-dept-name=COC&location=44&origin=http://www.hmrc.gov.uk


After your second assessment at Charing get a letter from the shrink for passport and driving licence. Do the passport FIRST as its identity database and photo is used by the DVLA for your driving licence.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport


Go to the bank and make an appointment to change records. Your Stat Dec will be enough.

Go to the GP and get a new NHS number and your name changed. That way when you are sitting in the doctors waiting room and the sign goes *beep* it will have your female name on it

Get EXTRA copies of the Stat Dec when you swear it out. A few "originals" are better than one because somebody WILL lose them.

If Charing has been contacted then when you get a new NHS number send them a copy of the Stat Dec and a copy of the NHS card and tell them of your change of name. Once you make it official they have to call you by your new name when they shout it out in the waiting room at your appointments.

You really are a wealth of information..
Thanks very much this is getting exciting ........   Toni ..

Quote from: Tony2Toni on May 16, 2014, 12:17:59 PM
You really are a wealth of information..
Thanks very much this is getting exciting ........   Toni ..

It is a bit life changing to say the least so you never really forget. One last tip and I leave you in peace.

When you go in to see someone at Charing, they will often be non-committal and wait to see what you say. It is a good idea to have an objective in mind. For instance, at my last interview the opening line was "What would you like to talk about?" and my reply was "Moving on to surgery". I then had a discussion where I was able to show that I understood all the ramifications of what I was asking. I came out with a recommendation and now I await my confirmation interview in a month or two.

Get yourself familiar with the drugs they like to prescribe - Progynova and Decapeptyl (note: on this forum, pills are considered rubbish that will boil your liver and not work anyway. The pills contain human estrogen and will do your liver no harm at all. Ask Dr Seal and he will tell you. He has several hundred trans patients at any time so I reckon he knows what he is talking about)

So, for your first interviews you should aim to get you diagnosis confirmed and on to HRT. If you turn up with RLE started and the paperwork to support that then it will be a tick-box exercise. When you have settled on your medication you can then decide if you wish to progress further or proceed to surgery.

It is a really simple process and as long as you do not throw a wobbler or a tantrum then it usually goes smoothly and quickly.

Good luck with everything

Quote from: vukapg on May 16, 2014, 01:05:03 PM
It is a bit life changing to say the least so you never really forget. One last tip and I leave you in peace.

When you go in to see someone at Charing, they will often be non-committal and wait to see what you say. It is a good idea to have an objective in mind. For instance, at my last interview the opening line was "What would you like to talk about?" and my reply was "Moving on to surgery". I then had a discussion where I was able to show that I understood all the ramifications of what I was asking. I came out with a recommendation and now I await my confirmation interview in a month or two.

Get yourself familiar with the drugs they like to prescribe - Progynova and Decapeptyl (note: on this forum, pills are considered rubbish that will boil your liver and not work anyway. The pills contain human estrogen and will do your liver no harm at all. Ask Dr Seal and he will tell you. He has several hundred trans patients at any time so I reckon he knows what he is talking about)

So, for your first interviews you should aim to get you diagnosis confirmed and on to HRT. If you turn up with RLE started and the paperwork to support that then it will be a tick-box exercise. When you have settled on your medication you can then decide if you wish to progress further or proceed to surgery.

It is a really simple process and as long as you do not throw a wobbler or a tantrum then it usually goes smoothly and quickly.

Good luck with everything

Well Today I took the statutory declaration form to a solicitor and changed my name ..
I am now a 'Miss'

now starting the process of changing all my paperwork ...

Quite easy so far..
Thanks again for all the help ..  Toni (my real name now)

Quote from: Tony2Toni on May 22, 2014, 11:05:25 AM
Well Today I took the statutory declaration form to a solicitor and changed my name ..
I am now a 'Miss'

now starting the process of changing all my paperwork ...

Quite easy so far..
Thanks again for all the help ..  Toni (my real name now)

Congratulations!!! Well done. x x