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The waiting-times for Gender Identity Clinic referrals in England and Wales continue to soar: first appointments in Exeter and Nottingham are well over a year (up from 3 months just 2 years ago): Leeds, Sheffield and London more like 3 years: the legal team in the West Midlands have advised the Clinic not to release figures; and, if you are not fortunate enough to be a Northumberland Area resident, 12 and a 1/2 years in Newcastle (so much for 'Patient Choice').
It is no surprise that Trans people and their parents or guardians are tempted to 'self-medicate' and to obtain supplies claimed to be 'sex-hormones, on the Internet.
Those who appreciate the dangers of this 'interim' therapy may well go for telephone consultations with a qualified Medical Practitioner; and think this course is the safer choice.
Trans people are vulnerable, frequently confused and exposed, leading to inevitable potential financial exploitation. A classic example of this was the business career of the charming and late Mrs Booth ( Ms Lloyd), who set up exorbitantly expensive shops (first in Prestwich, Manchester) targeting the Trans community; and, later, the now collapsed Llangollen Hotels targetting the LGBT community. I visited her Prestwich shop in 1988, and fell in love with a dress at £50.00: not only could I never afford it, but I found exactly the same dress with an identical label in a Bolton shop the next week.....price? £10.00 !!!
My personal opinion is that a doctor prescribing hormones to 12 years olds, and the parent or guardian, are exposed and open to legal action by the individual, once they reach the age of informed consent.
It is likely that any doctor willing to treat Trans individuals without prior communication with their General Practitioner and sight of their medical history and medication is placing themselves at risk of General Medical Council scrutiny at the least. This is compounded by (personal reports from Trans-women frends) one well-known doctor in the UK is failing in their duty to obtain base-line blood tests (to include sex-hormones anf Liver Function Tests), prior to initiating therapy. The same doctor appears not to undertake the necessary repeat tests after eight weeks of treatment and repeat tests six monthly to dose-titrate the therapy.
Complaints have apparently been received by the GMC: who have just issued interim guide-lines to medical practitioners for 'Telephone Consultations'; and,commenced a consultation document in order to provide final guide-lines in the essential interests of 'Patient Safety'.
In the meantime, my sisters: "Beware of Strangers bearing Gifts" !
