Hi, I'm new.  I haven't introduced myself yet but I just wanted to ask a question about getting private therapy in the UK.  As I understand, the waiting lists on NHS GIC's are ridiculous (sometimes up to 2 years!) so it seems worthwhile to spend a few hundred £ on a private GIC (waiting lists less than 1 month).  My question is, will I still get HRT free on the NHS if I have been to a private GIC?

These are a couple of GIC's I was looking at if anyone is interested:

http://www.transhealth.co.uk/pages/gender_clinic.html

http://gendercare.co.uk/leighton-seal.html

thanks!

edit: ps I'm mtf

Hi Danny,

As far as I know you should do, I'm still waiting for my first appointment at Leeds GIC (went to my GP in May last year, should be seen at the GIC in December) but I've been able to obtain a HRT prescription just from my GP to stop from me having to self medicate, and my endo said it shouldn't affect anything once I actually hit the GIC

Hmm well that's interesting.  I didn't know you could get HRT without having been to a GIC.  So I guess that means I will get them on the NHS, I'll have to ask when I see my GP.  I am a little impatient to start to be honest.

I talked to my GP and he said I probably wouldn't get HRT free on the NHS, even if I went to an NHS GIC, what the hell?? 

Odd your GP said that. I assume the GIC will instruct your GP on HRT, administration and costs.

Honestly most GP's don't have a clue and seem to have very little inclination to finding out more about the referral system and joint treatment pathways.

EDIT: The waiting lists are very, very long and it can be incredibly frustrating. Your GP won't prescribe HRT unless you've been to the GIC. Transhealth requires you see a therapist (usually inhouse) for at least four appointments before they can recommend a patient for HRT. It can cost a lot. Gendercare is basically paying to circumvent the first part of the NHS queue. You can choose to get HRT through them or the GIC (same practitioners) but you still have to adhere to NHS guidelines vis-a-vis RLE.

Quote from: Danny H on September 11, 2014, 11:06:48 AM
I talked to my GP and he said I probably wouldn't get HRT free on the NHS, even if I went to an NHS GIC, what the hell?? 

GIC's give recommendations to your GP to prescribe HRT, giving dosage information and whatnots.

Doctors are allowed to prescribe 'bridging Endocrine Treatment ' as part of a 'harm reduction strategy' under certain circumstances, read this for more information http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/files/pdfversion/CR181.pdf.  In my case I'd been monitored for a year by my GP while self medicating and fighting for 6 months to find an endo that was willing to offer a recommendation for HRT to my GP.  I'd also been full time for nearly a year at that point so there wasn't any doubt from the endo that I was serious about this.

My point was more that the NHS is willing to take over treatment started at an external source, not that you can jump straight into HRT no questions asked, especially if you haven't made any steps towards transition already...

Ok thanks for the help.  I guess I will just pay at first and then hopefully that NHS can take over at a later date.  Going to book therapy soon 

Hi Danny, I started out with Transhealth to get the ball rolling with HRT. After I was given the go-ahead for hormones I approached my NHS GP surgery and was told they have a shared care system so I can get my hormones/blood test with them after I had been on hormones for 3 months.

My GP just asked what I want and prescribed it without batting an eyelash lol try it!

1,5 yrs of waiting to get to GIC???!!! That's insanity

Pre-GIC (CHX) my GP was unwilling to prescribe without guidance.
I saw Dr Curtis twice and he wrote a letter, my GP then gave me NHS prescription for the oestrogen patches.  She also arranged for blood tests.  When Curtis introduced anti-androgens, she balked (I believe due to their cost) so I paid privately for the first month and then thankfully this was about the time that CHX took over my hormone management and with their say so she was happy to prescribe that as well.

When I had my first appointment at CHX I had been on hormones for about 4 months and they were happy for me to continue, it took a further 6 months before they took over my hormone care.

Sam x