And now the wait begins...

[Guest Shiratori]

From what I've heard, Daventry has quite a short waiting list compared to other clinics. Hopefully it won't take too long to hear when my appointment will be.

[tracy_j]

Congratulations

If you don't hear anything then call them to find out. With freedom of information clinics have to publish their waiting list times as well so it is possible to get some idea

See this link if you are not already aware http://www.genderclinic.northants.nhs.uk/

Tracy

[jeanniesauve']

Congratulations!!I read it,and pictured my name on it!I will study it,as it reveals much about the details one requires,to spurr a therapist on,in my favor!...teehee!

jeannie

[Guest Shiratori]

Glad I had to see my GP about something this morning. She hadn't realised that she had to do the referral herself and thought the therapist did it. We downloaded the referral form from Daventry GIC's website and filled it out tgere and then. And now the wait begins. Again.

[Guest KerryUK]

Aw, Bless you Shiratori, the time does pass and you'll be surprised at how quickly.

Kerry

[Guest Shiratori]

Aaargh! Just spoke to Daventry GIC and they never received my referral. Had to phone my GP to get them to fax it to them and apparently they're having problems with their phone lines and are waiting for an engineer before they can do it.

[tracy_j]

This is very poor!

They should post it first class if the fax system is not working, or even email if they are using secure systems

The NHS is working rapidly towards electronic based national systems although I know many locations do not use it.

Although hospitals / clinics are now very accountable with having to produce waiting list data etc I think many GP surgeries are pretty a law unto themselves as I have had a pretty poor response to feedback I sent to my local surgery after a failed attempt to get an appointment for tests - they took months to reply . I know it is not always their fault as they are underfunded.

If I were you I would keep on top of this and keep pushing, at least until you get a date from the GIC

Tracy

[Guest Shiratori]

Well, they finally received my referral this morning. I just spoke to the clinic secretary and she told me their waiting list is currently 9-10 months.

[tracy_j]

Waiting times are long in the NHS for many things but at least you are in the queue

Good luck

Tracy x

[Guest Shiratori]

This is true. I just wish I knew what I'm going to do while I wait.

[Guest]

This sounds like our local waiting list, for Trans* care, which tends to be 12-18 months.

I hope your time passes quickly while waiting for your consult, Shiratori.

Huggs,

Joann

[Guest Denise007]

what are you actually waiting for Shiratori? surgery or to see the people about it?

Not sure about there but you surely do not need anyone's permission to live your life as you want.

[Guest Shiratori]

Waiting for my first therapist appointment.

[Guest Denise007]

Oh! thanks for the clarification!

[Guest KerryUK]

The waiting lists can be very long and mine was about 8 months (at one point, it was at 3 years but that's been sorted I gather).

The thing I did to fill the time usefully was to make a start on my facial hair removal. It can take many many months to complete and so the sooner you start, the better. It gives you 'little' appointments to look forward to and you know that you are achieving something in the mean time.

Kerry

[Guest Shiratori]

I wish that was an option. Until I get a new job I have no money.

[Guest Shiratori]

Well, it's a start...

[JJ]

Congratz!

May the wait be shorter than expected.

There is actually a lot to do these coming months. You can learn about makeup if you are a makeup kind of girl. Women work on that all their lives. And voice and what clothes you like and where to find them . Mannerisms and socialization actually take years to perfect and this gives you time to have a running start.

All the interior stuff takes even longer. Coming to terms with the past so that it doesn't cast a shadow over the future is also a long process .There is actually a whole lot to be doing. The exterior is the least of it all.

Johnny

[Guest Shiratori]

Well, it turns out that due to everyone finding out that Daventry GIC having the shortest waiting list in the country had the inevitable effect and it would seem that their waiting list is now 16 months so despite being referred 13 months ago I won't have my first appointment until late summer.

However...

I received this letter today:

http://i.imgur.com/P5FfCHr.jpg

[Jani]

Well, that seems encouraging.

Jani

[Guest Shiratori]

Just had a call from Lynne at Daventry GIC. I have my first appointment on Wednesday 23rd August with Dr Vaidya. 

[Charlize]

Wonderful!  It could of course been sooner but at least it's not far off!   Time goes fast.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[LizK]

We don't have anything quite like that here but I wish we would. Here, its find a Psych, get letter of approval for hrt after 16 month wait for appointment, find an Endo to start HRT, work out yourself what you need as far as hair removal voice, etc etc and pay for it, again back to the Psych for more letters so they will give you GRS at your expense.

Hope you have a good experience and don't listen to me, I grumble too much                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

[tracy_j]

23rd of August is good

Not long now in the NHS scale of things!

Tracy