I thought it might be interesting to compile a list of GI Units across the UK so that anybody deciding that they need the services of one of these units can see which is nearest/better suited to their needs.

Please include the name of the Unit, the name of the hospital, the name of the pyschiatrist/physician who is treating you (plus what you think of him/her regarding how you are treated), do they do your SRS within that hospital (and the name of the surgeon if you know it), how soon you were prescribed hormones and any other details you might find helpful to anybody contemplating going the whole way.

I would kick off, but I last went to Charing Cross in the late 70's so I'm a little out of the loop these days.

Thank you

This post was edited by Former Member at October 28, 2011 7:04 PM BST

Hi Girlies

 I'm using the NHS for my transition, I'm at Nottingham Gender Clinic and in my case its been a positive experience. Obviously I cant speak for anyone else but I have found the staff to be quite fair and consistent with how they follow the current guidelines, (whatever they're called at the moment).

However, from speaking to others at the same clinic I can detect differences in how rigidly or flexibly their clinicians have applied the "rules" and the more I get to know certain individuals I think I have to say I would probably have made the same decisions had I been the psychiatrist.

There is a perception among our community that the clinicians are gatekeepers either granting or denying access to the services we require. Strictly speaking that's true but their remit is to make sure the services we obtain are in our best interest.

Arguably a downside of NGC, is that its only a building full of psychiatrists with most other services subcontracted out although I think they now have a visiting endocrinologist at least.

They appear to have a process of three meetings two months apart, the first two are carried out by seperate psychiatrists and the third by both of them together. At this third you will bring along one or two people from your life and just sit and chat about whatever. Following this third meeting they then decide whether to accept you onto the conveyor belt or not.

All being well hormones should follow three to six months after that.

I imagine almost all patients are constrained by their PCT regarding which clinic they go to, but if anyone is free to choose I cant think of any reason not to choose NGC if its within a reasonable travelling distance.

There was one limitation of NGC but its history now, it was the Surgeon they were bound to refer you to in the first instance, he was aka "the butcher" enough said.

As I write negotiations are ongoing between NGC and the two remaining NHS SRS surgeons Mr Bellringer and Mr Thomes so I guess its full speed ahead.

I see my psychiatrist Nick Mepham for what he says is the last time in January 2012 and then I see another for my second opinion shortly after that and then its off to the surgeon all being well, fingers crossed for that.

Wish me luck

Layla

 

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This post was edited by Princess Layla at October 29, 2011 6:20 PM BST

Really interested in this and was just about to post a question as to whether anyone knows of any private services as I wanted to explore this a bit more before I sling myself in head first with the NHS. Happy to pay initially but would prefer recommendations especially in the Midlands. NGC is actually quite close to me but I wanted to try and do this on my terms at the start rather than be dictated to by NHS staff.

I agree that they are only following the rules but I wanted my life to be in my control not that of someone else.

Chrissy

Hi Chrissy,
One of the problems of going privately is that it might be difficult to switch back to the NHS service afterwards. Other people's opinions on this would be welcomed.

Gender Equality Act 2010 says no need for medicla supervision for transition.. just go tell GP you want to change and want hormones and endo test please.

This post was edited by Former Member at December 15, 2011 8:26 PM GMT

Rose, I have searched in vain the Gender Equality Act but I cannot see anywhere where it stipulates that a trans person can go to their GP and demand hormones. Sorry, but I am a little confused here so if you could point out the relevant clause within the act, I would be very grateful. Thanks Carol

This post was edited by Former Member at December 16, 2011 9:50 AM GMT

Unfortunately a GP risks being struck off by prescribing for an off licence use of any medication without first referring to a specialist on the subject.

I have a documents oemwhere that states ' since EqAct the ere is no reuirement to need medical supervicsion for transition.
I'll find it in next few days when i get round to fcaing my paper mountain.
the EU does say NHS has to help right fomr day one. they do not like this.

No, I'm not arguing about whether or not you are under medical supervision Rose, the Act is quite clear that you do not have to be - what I am saying is that you cannot expect your GP to hand out 'mones without the say so of a specialist - for the reasons that Layla quite right pointed out.

GPs hand out HRT to GGs without say so from specialist so it is discrimination not to hand them to a TS?

Yes, because the drugs were not licenced for such use Rose

Maybe there could be more emphasis put on the informed consent model.

From limited experience, The informed consent model seem to apply more readily if you seek Private Care initially .[ yes I know it costs, doesnt everything], but you feel you are in control. For GPs and NHS its different their s is a model based on legal liability which you cannot control

Yep, that just about sums it up.

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about nottingham, they have dealt with me fine all the way. My two years ends in 13 days at which point I should get my second opinion from them and get referred for surgery. Maybe two weeks from now I will have something negative to say but I doubt it.
The only thing Im not too happy with is their inflexibility, they have one process for you to go through, seemingly regardless of the individual.

Hi Chrissy, you will probably hear negative things about all the gender clinics in the UK, but the truth probably is there is nothing really wrong with any of them. I heard bad things about CX, but had no problems there, even when I told them early on that I planned to go to Thailand and pay for my own SRS. They don't mind that, and I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you had previously seen a private gender specialist, at least I can't see why they should have any objection to this.
To put it bluntly, I suspect the people that complain bitterly about a gender clinic are themselves the ones with a problem.
I don't disagree with Layla, the NHS process does have a tendency to be inflexible, but go along with what they expect of you and you shouldn't have any problems.
xx

Couldn't agree more with you Lucy. Charing Cross was the same when I went there in the mid to late 70's. Many people there were exceedingly bitter about John Randell, but I always got on well with him - partly I expect because i was doing what they asked of me - i.e. living and working full time in my acquired gender role and happy and content in that role.

Carol xx

This post was edited by Former Member at February 8, 2012 2:16 AM GMT

Theres a bit more to it than just ticking a list of boxes, the point of the RLE period is to establish that you are truly settled into your so called "new gender role". Its not as simple as whether you did the time or had a job.

With the exception of playing at it on the tills of BHS I havent had a job since 1996 and have absolutely no intention of ever getting one.

NGC placed no requirement for that on me yet I know others at that clinic whos progress is stalled by exactly that obstacle.

They interpreted my preference to remain on the fringes of the system as a positive thing, they see me as someone independent enough to stand on my own feet without the security of a regular job.

"without a safety net" is how they put it.

This post was edited by Princess Layla at February 8, 2012 2:36 PM GMT

Leeds I Cclinic is great, the staff are amazing and very helpful. and the staff from South West Yorkshire PCT are amazing too, the psychiatrist was excellent. I cant give any more info atm cause im still very early stage

Then why didnt you do just that Rose, after all, the objective here is to get what you want from the system rather than become some kind of opposing activist.

The bottom line is, you are here yet you want to be there, those are the obstacles and these are the solutions, pick one and get on with it.
Bleating on about what the obstacles should and shouldnt be wont change them, be pragmatic about it.

I do tend to suspect that the ones that bleat on about "the system" are those that the system has filtered out for some reason.
Is it therefore a case of conveniently ignoring their stated reasons for impeding progress?

absoluteyi find 'the system' to be great

Good luck Sophie with your journey to becoming a whole person - all I can say that this will be a wonderful time for you with many highs and also a few lows at times, just don't let the lows last for too long and don't let them beat you.

without lows to put the highs into perspective, life is boring

Hi

 

Just wondering if there are any updated thoughts on UK Gender clinics? 

Any recent development in regulations? 

Good clinics to attend? Midlands, London, Manchetser areas? 

Sorry I can't really help you there Louisa as I finished in 1979 after my SRS

However, The Laurels in Exeter is said to have a good reputation, but that is not in your area