hey all is there anyone from the uk here ? ^.^

i know things are different in the usa to the uk as we have thge NHS and usa have to pay for everything as far as i know that is i could be wrong .

I'm from the UK. The NHS is free at the point of need, but try getting the NHS to pay for anything that is costly quickly. In England, there is at least a 12 week wait to see a psych at a GIC after referral from your GP and massive 3 year wait for surgery after proving you're worthy following a two year RLE.

If you have the means, it may be quicker to go private in UK.

Hi Saiya. ^^

I'm in the UK too (in Scotland, which has a different NHS system).  It took around 10 weeks for me to get my psychiatric appointment at the local mental health department after GP referral, and a further 8 weeks to get the follow-up psychology appointment (although they messed that up -- it should've been sooner).  A few days ago, I received my referral letter from the national GIC, and if I'd waited until now, I'd have a further 12-month wait before my appointment with them.  Fortunately, I self-referred to them in June, so my appointment is backdated and I 'only' have about 7 months left to wait. 

Even more fortunately, I have a GP who has been willing to provide me HRT as bridging therapy in the meantime, but not everyone is so lucky.

I won't even be able to get on the waiting lists for surgery until I'm at the GIC, but at least things are moving forward for me in the meantime.  I'm paying for my own hair removal, since I would have to wait for the GIC otherwise -- and I think they only provide 8 sessions anyway.

Quote from: Leila on November 15, 2014, 11:30:52 AM
I'm from the UK. The NHS is free at the point of need, but try getting the NHS to pay for anything that is costly quickly. In England, there is at least a 12 week wait to see a psych at a GIC after referral from your GP and massive 3 year wait for surgery after proving you're worthy following a two year RLE.

If you have the means, it may be quicker to go private in UK.

well i have seen a physicist and had refurels from my GP and im waiting to see the ~NHS to evaluate me now then they will tell me were i am in the waiting list

Quote from: Cat on November 15, 2014, 11:47:16 AM
Hi Saiya. ^^

I'm in the UK too (in Scotland, which has a different NHS system).  It took around 10 weeks for me to get my psychiatric appointment at the local mental health department after GP referral, and a further 8 weeks to get the follow-up psychology appointment (although they messed that up -- it should've been sooner).  A few days ago, I received my referral letter from the national GIC, and if I'd waited until now, I'd have a further 12-month wait before my appointment with them.  Fortunately, I self-referred to them in June, so my appointment is backdated and I 'only' have about 7 months left to wait. 

Even more fortunately, I have a GP who has been willing to provide me HRT as bridging therapy in the meantime, but not everyone is so lucky.

I won't even be able to get on the waiting lists for surgery until I'm at the GIC, but at least things are moving forward for me in the meantime.  I'm paying for my own hair removal, since I would have to wait for the GIC otherwise -- and I think they only provide 8 sessions anyway.

i asked my gp if they would sopply me with the pills i needed and they are asking about it ahead of NHS schedual so i could start urlyand id still pay for them as the pills would cost about £60 but cos i got mine off the usa the shipping and handling pushed up the price to £110, thats why i asked my GP , but yet to hear back from that , at this rate may as well just wait till NHS get in touch , i do admit i feel

Quote from: SaiyaDarkfire on November 15, 2014, 12:43:13 PM
well i have seen a physicist and had refurels from my GP and im waiting to see the ~NHS to evaluate me now then they will tell me were i am in the waiting list

If you've just been referred on by your GP then unless it's to a local psychiatrist (which is unlikely as you say you've already seen one), I guess you'll be waiting at least 12 weeks (depending on the GIC you've been referred to) to see someone at the GIC. In that case, do you know which GIC your GP has referred you to?

Quote from: Leila on November 15, 2014, 01:00:49 PM
If you've just been referred on by your GP then unless it's to a local psychiatrist (which is unlikely as you say you've already seen one), I guess you'll be waiting at least 12 weeks (depending on the GIC you've been referred to) to see someone at the GIC. In that case, do you know which GIC your GP has referred you to?

i beleave it was leeds GIC

Hello from a Blackpool girl

Quote from: big kim on November 15, 2014, 01:07:01 PM
Hello from a Blackpool girl

hehe hello from manchester XP

Quote from: SaiyaDarkfire on November 15, 2014, 01:06:05 PM

i beleave it was leeds GIC

I have heard that Leeds had closed their books for the rest of this year, how true I do not know. At least two people who have been referred there have been six months plus with no sign of a first appointment.

If you are able to get a re-referral from your GP, Northampton GIC are currently running at 12 weeks wait time for an appointment.

Quote from: Leila on November 15, 2014, 01:12:36 PM
I have heard that Leeds had closed their books for the rest of this year, how true I do not know. At least two people who have been referred there have been six months plus with no sign of a first appointment.

If you are able to get a re-referral from your GP, Northampton GIC are currently running at 12 weeks wait time for an appointment.

well what i was thinking of doing was going to my GP and asking if they hurd anything and maybe sending out a letter for an update on what is going on as i have not herd anything for a little wile

Quote from: SaiyaDarkfire on November 15, 2014, 01:15:47 PM
well what i was thinking of doing was going to my GP and asking if they hurd anything and maybe sending out a letter for an update on what is going on as i have not herd anything for a little wile

i just had a look at all my letters i have had as i kept them safe and the last one i got was on the 25-7-14

In any case, good luck with whatever you do. You're going to need a lot of it and also plenty of patience.

You may want to use this time waiting, to change your name officially by deed poll or statutory declaration and document this as well as all other name changes and prove that you are living in your preferred gender  before your first appointment. All of this will count as evidence towards your two year RLE you will need with the NHS. Put all of this into a file and take it with you to your first appointment to show the consultant. Also if you haven't already, ask for the report from your psychiatrist and any letters from your GP. These should all go into your file.

The GIC will help you towards getting your hormones, GRC and SRS; but ultimately it is down to you to direct your own path. Showing that you are serious will hasten your progress through it.

Quote from: Leila on November 15, 2014, 01:25:53 PM
In any case, good luck with whatever you do. You're going to need a lot of it and also plenty of patience.

You may want to use this time waiting, to change your name officially by deed poll or statutory declaration and document this as well as all other name changes and prove that you are living in your preferred gender  before your first appointment. All of this will count as evidence towards your two year RLE you will need with the NHS. Put all of this into a file and take it with you to your first appointment to show the consultant. Also if you haven't already, ask for the report from your psychiatrist and any letters from your GP. These should all go into your file.

The GIC will help you towards getting your hormones, GRC and SRS; but ultimately it is down to you to direct your own path. Showing that you are serious will hasten your progress through it.

i wasent sure about the name change untill i started hormones but tbh i think its the having everything needing to be changed that bothers me the most lol

Actually the longer in life you leave name changing the more things that need changing. I found that out the hard way. I made a very, very, very long list and I'm much older than you.

There's no guarantee they'll give you a script for hormones on your first visit to the GIC, but the sooner you start with getting a new name then your RLE will be counted from that date. Surgery won't be considered on the NHS without RLE being carried out. After two years of RLE you'll be able to apply for a GRC (Gender Recognition Certificate) which will enable you to apply for a new Birth Certificate in your preferred gender.

Private4lyfe.

HRT in 3 months. Sorted.

Me too. Went private and on HRT in 3 months. Will transfer to GP for shared care 

Quote from: Leila on November 15, 2014, 01:38:55 PM
Actually the longer in life you leave name changing the more things that need changing. I found that out the hard way. I made a very, very, very long list and I'm much older than you.

There's no guarantee they'll give you a script for hormones on your first visit to the GIC, but the sooner you start with getting a new name then your RLE will be counted from that date. Surgery won't be considered on the NHS without RLE being carried out. After two years of RLE you'll be able to apply for a GRC (Gender Recognition Certificate) which will enable you to apply for a new Birth Certificate in your preferred gender.

so its better to have my name done sooner than later

Yes, the GRP (Gender Recognition Panel), the people who decide if you get a piece of paper to get to apply for a new Birth Certificate (GRC), need at least two years proof of name change and evidence of living with that name change before they grant you the GRC.

If you wait a year to change your name, you'll effectively wait three years to get an amended BC.

ah ok i see , ill look in to that then
i semi settled in to a name that i want

my male name is Thomas Henry Whitehead >.>
but i carnt have darkfire as my last name so had to think of something a little more normal lol
i so far settled on
Saiya Elizabeth whitehead