I have just recieved the most sick, twisted, and in all ways uncaring and wrong decision on whether or not the gatekeepers (aka Health Commision Wales) of my treatment will allow funding for my referal to CHX.

A little history...

Last August, they refered me at the request of my local psych to a specialist cpsych in birmingham for an assessment. The psych in question was very bizarre and I was in two minds as to whether to report him for his behaviour or bear with it to hopefully get treatment faster. He started psychoanalysis without HCW offering funding for treatment, which promptly stopped thereafter.

It then took my local psych 4 months to request funding for a referral to CHX, which he did in May of this year, but he didn't give a full report of all the clinical information. HCW, the gatekeepers, turned me down.

At the same time that I found out that my referal request was turned down (GID services carry - apparently - the lowest priority of all), I found that my psychiatrist had changed, but I had to find out all this for myself as nobody had seen fit to tell me any of it.

At the beginning of June, my new psychiatrist appealed on my behalf, telling them (such is the truth) that in no uncertin terms I was at risk of serious self harm and/or suicide, and that this was as a result of a depression at the root of which is my gender dysphoria. She stated in no uncertain terms that I am unable to intergrate in society in any real way and that I would not get any better at all untill I recieved a sexual re-assignment (the full works).

That was the beginning of June. HCW claimed repeatedly that the decision wouldn't take long, and in the meantime kept moving the goalposts. They've put me through a hellish mental torture since then while I have been desperately trying to find out any information I can from them.

Now the interesting bit.

Today, I recieved a call from them regarding a decision on my case. Apparently, I meet all the criteria for funding, but unfortunately because of the low priority policy, I've been having to fight to get it - and I still don't have it. They apparently would consider me to possibly be an exceptional case, depending on this...

... They are asking my local psych to obtain a second opinion - not on my GID - three different consultant psychiatrists have allready diagnosed that I have a serious case. No. They want a fourth psychiatrist to give a second opinion on how likely I am to kill myself or cause myself serious harm. I mean, C'mon!!! Surely with such things you opt for the more cautious approach? Surely they should trust that a consultand psychiatrist is competant in estimating the level of morbidity in a patient? Surely they've tortured me enough already?

This is sick. Just sick!!!

If anybody has the time, and cares enough, I don't feel that these people should get away with this attitude. The problem is that they are a law unto themselves, and so I would really appreciate it if people could write to "The Medical Director" at health commision Wales (http://www.wales.gov.uk/s[...]lthcom/) and explain to him exactly why this is wrong. Should you know anyone who would be better to write to, then please feel free, but I really really want this so called doctor to know exactly why what he's asked for and what he's done is wrong. I want him to know that it's unacceptable, and that people are watching. Unless you could pay for me to be treated privately (which isn't something I'd really ask - It's a big ask and would be a little unfair) there's not a lot you could do to help me directly, but if you could just put pen to paper for me (or fingers to keyboard) I would really really appreciate it.

I doubt it - devolution.

Heathcare in wales is managed by the Welsh Assembly Government - a law unto themselves, just like their quango organisations.

HCW in it's entirity seems to be set up in such a way that following the proper complaints procedure get's you no-where unless hcw agrees with you.

It's almost as if they'd preferr it if I died out of their way so that they didn't have to spend the money. I really can't believe this is happening

Oh, I'm sure i'll get there in the end - if I hold at it.

What I can't believe is that this decision has come from a qualified doctor - sworn to the hippocratic oath. No matter what condition the funding is for, (GID in my case) to ask for a second opinion on how suicidal somebody is is just so wrong on so many levels - especially when they took three months to make any kind of decision on the serious report they had on my state of mind in the first place - It's the ultimate display of contempt for medical care really. I mean, This is really not something they should do to anyone for any reason at any time - you don't go playing games with the most fragile of lives surely? especially if your a doctor!

There is just NO way in which they should be allowed to get away with this sort of thing. Unfortunately, not a single Assembly minister for my area can be trusted, as has been shown time and time again. They all care about political point scoring around here and nothing else. unfortunately, my case isn't really one that can be easily scored with, being of the transgendered variety. anything else and they'd probably take it up like a shot.

Complaining directly and repeatly from a variety of people seems to be the only way to be sure that the point has been made and recieved.

Just stick to your guns Rhia you'll get there.

I appreciate the sentiment Karen, I really do, but that's the whole point.

I'll only get there if I'm still alive, and depending on how long it takes HCW to look at this second opinion, and how long it takes for it to get to them in the first place, I may well not be, and most certainly I woun't be able to live any real kind of life untill then. I don't say this flippantly, and neither did the psych who made the report.

Thankyou for your kind words Joni.

While I agree that it appears that they have not barred the doors entirely, unfortunately, things aren't nessecarily as they appear.

CHX will not treat a person for GID if they are suicidal. Therefore, if a second opinion shows that I am suicidal currently, then HCW would offer funding but CHX won't accept me.

If the second opinion says that I am NOT suicidal, then CHX would accept me, but HCW won't fund it.

If the second opinion shows that my suicidal feelings and leanings are as a result of not getting treatment, and that getting treatment would make te risk of suicide negligable, then HCW will debate whether or not I can truly be considered an exceptional case, and may or may not provide the funding.

It's a catch 22, and effectively a blanket ban of funding for treatment of GID, but it's a blanket ban by any other name. Even when the funding is refused, they don't say it's refused. They say that funding has been "deferred" until such time as it is available (ie, when they decide that the condition is no longer the lowest funding priority - and I think we can all make a fairly accurate guess at when that will be).

On the face of it, things look ok, but in reality, things are substantially bleaker than they first appear.

Hi Rhia
I am very happy to complain directly at this appalling treatment. After all doesnt this attitude affect any girl trying for sexual re-assignment from anywhere in the UK and indeed the world.

One question please Rhia, in my complaint, can I use excerts from your post.? I think it would highlight, as you said, the fact that these grueling stages of assessment are toturing patients who are already very vulnerable.

Love Dorothy

You are more than welcom to quote anything dDorothy, but this doesn't really affect anyone else in the UK unless they are seeking treatment from within wales, or unless their LHB/PCT operates in the same way.

and thankyou again Joni - I shant' take that final option just yet, but this GID really is my entire life and has been for some time. If my treatment is refused, that final option becomes one hell of a lot more likely. At this moment, I'm just holding out in hope and dispair.

Government controled health care has it's points. But I read this stuff a lot from you girls in the UK. The red tape, departments not communicating, or one doctor sending you back insted of forward, & everything takes a long time.
In the US you can get it done faster but you need to be rich.

Just stick to your guns Rhia you'll get there.

Dear Rhia-

I can only add a bit to what others have said about hanging in there and not giving in or giving up. Bureaucracies can be frustrating and maddening and the roadblocks they set up are often inhumane and callous. Still it seems from what you posted that they have not shut and barred the door entirely. You have fought long and hard and I know you must be near the end of your energies and patience but if you give up now, they will have won and all the effort you have put into it so far will be for nothing.

Please don't give up, do what you must, play their silly games and hopefully in the end you will prevail. And for whatever it's worth, we are all behind you and wish you the best.

Hugs...Joni

I'm so sorry, Rhia, it really does seem to be Catch 22 and a deliberate ploy to exclude funding for TS's or at least make it so difficult that they will give up. I do beg you not to give up until every avenue has been exhausted and please not to exercise the final option-suicide-which closes every door. We are still behind you and care about you.

Hugs...Joni