I have just moved clinics from Sheffield to Leeds. We're only at 1st impressions at the minute. But my first impression is this; Sheffield are a load of bull. Leeds knows how to look after their patients. Patient? That what I am?
Will have to find a better word for that!
But the point I'm trying to make. As i sat in my consultation with Leeds today as my very first visit they asked me many questions where my answers inevitably ended up questioning Sheffields methods and what they've actually done for me. I don't like bad mouthing people and such, but today was a slap in the face as reality has opened my eyes to just how s*** a service they are!
Did you know I can get my treatment done at my own GP with just a letter from the gender clinic with such request? I didnt. Even when I told Sheffield how inconvenient it was for me to travel to them. Even after they had both nurses sick and my treatment was delayed by two months. They mentioned nothing!
Did you know after surgery was decided you're meant to have a follow up appt to discuss everything about it to make sure you're ready and you know the ins and outs of exactly what's going to happen and what to expect? I didn't. And I've never had such an appt.
What the hell, Sheffield? If I had never transferred, I would have never known about such things and would have continued to struggle believing this is the norm and the limit of their care!
As Leeds explained today all these things I felt like a fool for being walked all over.
I think my advice to everyone here, UK or not, is to make sure you're getting everything you need from your gender clinic. Look further into general practice of the services you should have access to and make sure you're getting it. This is your life and the level of care they should be administering should be absolute. No excuses.
