Trans care on the NHS

[Lucca]

As an American, I'm very curious how the UK government's National Health Service functions for transgender people. I hear a lot of trans people talk about it in passing as part of their transition, but not fully explain their experience for the benefit of people who don't live there and aren't very familiar with it. I know the basics  of what it is (it's a government/socialized healthcare system as opposed to the mostly private/for-profit American one), and I get the impression that it covers a lot of trans medical expenses at no cost, but the wait list is super long, so some people end up paying for private care anyway. So, to any Brits out there, what has been your experience with the NHS? Just curious.

[DeeDee]

Hi, others will be able to offer more practical Trans specific examples, but here is a basic grounding Lucca. ?

 

The NHS is being attacked and underfunded by our current conservative government so it may not exist much longer but it was instigated after the 2nd world war to ensure that returning veterans as well as everybody else, had the basic human right to access healthcare regardless of their wealth or social status.  While working everyone in the UK automatically pays National Insurance contributions from their wages which go in part to help fund the service. It is understaffed and overburdened which means that there are waiting times in order to access the professionals in each field of specialty. 

https://www.ngicns.scot.nhs.uk/services/gender-identity-clinics/ (Their info website)

 

The basic list in Scotland for adults offers support and information on fertility preservation, hormones, hair removal, speech therapy and wig provision.  

 

I have only just connected with mine and although I was able to self refer without going through my local GP I waited 9 months for my initial appointment, and that is considered really really fast especially if you compare it to folks down in London who have to wait years. One of the benefits of being north of the border, smaller population means faster access if a less understanding social setting. 

 

I intend to keep detailing my journey but there are plenty of others who can offer you more in depth detail about their experience.  Buying health is a scary prospect from someone who has never had to worry about it - there is no financial incentive to cure people when you can make more money managing symptoms. YMMV in terms of politeness, empathy and what is offered, but basically I know that can go to my doctors, or a hospital in an emergency and I know they want to treat me as fast and as cost effectively as they can. I have a huge respect for the nurses and doctors I know that work crazy shifts with very little recognition. ? Sorry went on a bit there!

[Maid In Bedlam]

On 11/18/2019 at 8:46 PM, DeeDee said:

The NHS is being attacked and underfunded by our current conservative government so it may not exist much longer

 

 

Not going to be voting for Boris the Dee?  ?

 

 

On 11/18/2019 at 5:55 PM, Lucca said:

As an American, I'm very curious how the UK government's National Health Service functions for transgender people. I hear a lot of trans people talk about it in passing as part of their transition, but not fully explain their experience for the benefit of people who don't live there and aren't very familiar with it. I know the basics  of what it is (it's a government/socialized healthcare system as opposed to the mostly private/for-profit American one), and I get the impression that it covers a lot of trans medical expenses at no cost, but the wait list is super long, so some people end up paying for private care anyway. So, to any Brits out there, what has been your experience with the NHS? Just curious.

 

look up  Aneurin Bevan

 

He started it all.

 

Quote direct from Wiki

 

 

Quote

The free National Health Service was paid for directly through public money. Bevan had been inspired by the Tredegar Medical Aid Society in his hometown, where residents would pay a subscription that would fund access for all of the town's inhabitants to have free access to medical services such as nursing or dental care.^[61] This system proved so popular that 20,000 people supported the organisation during the 1930s. In 1947, Bevan stated "All I am doing is extending to the entire population of Britain the benefits we had in Tredegar for a generation or more. We are going to Tredegar-ise you."^[61] Government income was increased for the welfare state expenditure by a large increase in marginal tax rates for wealthy business owners in particular, as part of what the Labour government largely saw as the redistribution of the wealth created by the working-class from the owners of large-scale industry to the workers.^[62] Having been a member of the Cottage Hospital Management Committee around 1928 and serving as chairman in 1929–30, Bevan had received an insight into the management of health services by local authorities, which proved to be a bedrock of his work in founding the National Health Service.^[47]

 

 

Personally I have no problems with the NHS. As Dee said they are overworked and underfunded. But they do there best to meet the supply with the demand. It depends where you live to. us in Scotland dont do to bad as its overseen by the scottish goverment. However Northern island has awful waiting times and poor service. As they cannnot get there act together as far as there goverment are concerned.

 

But for GRS it was a hospital in England  as i was nevered offered it at a hospital in Scotland

[tracy_j]

Although not having direct experiences with the system myself I thought you may find this general information useful background as it may be the first information many people find: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/

 

The NHS is run slightly differently in the various countries of the Uk, as mentioned. In principle it is possible to move between them but as resources are so stretched it does not happen as much as it may. Contracting of services within the NHS can get a little complicated for the uninitiated. My opinion is that it started to get really messy with the semi-privatisation of recent years. Internal collaboration got far more complicated when things then needed to be financially justified before anything could be done. This is still pretty transparent to the general user but they don't need to look too deep to be aware of it. It was so much easier before with the borrow this / lend that working together approach even if it was not quite so efficient. Much better for a contented patient too, I feel. It is now a 'working against' bidding for contracts. I suppose it was always there but really not as mercenary as it now is.

 

I am not familiar with the US system but I can see things slowly going toward what is appears like.

 

Luckily, at the moment, most things for trans issues are still free, even for people with no income or never having paid National Insurance etc. It is just the waiting lists. I would suggest for anyone needing though that it is wise to research services  as some of them may try to limit their budgets. For some administrators particularly, patient needs may not always be put first.

 

Tracy