How to start medically transitioning?
Today I finally got round to registering with a local GP surgery. I haven't seen a GP since before the pandemic, and since before I relocated. I've been very reluctant to add to the demands of the under-resourced NHS.
It's been a few years since I socially transitioned, and I've wanted to take that further for several months now. How to go about this?
As it turns out, the process for medically transitioning isn't as simple as getting a prescription from a GP. Instead, the GP refers a person to the nearest Gender Identity Clinic, where a specialist (or several) discerns the most appropriate step in that person's transition. That could be psychological therapy, prescriptions or even deciding the person isn't ready for any medical intervention.
There is one major problem with this, though: The average waiting period between referral and a GIC consultation, in England, is between 4 and 6 years. For someone under 18, the average waiting period is about 7 years. Yes, all that stuff we've been hearing about children medically transitioning in Britain was bullshit.
It appears possible to expedit the process by self-referring to a private specialist, but that's not without its own problems:
- There is still a several month waiting list, which is still relatively quick.
- Appointments cost around £400, and at least two will be needed. Realistically three. This is important, because the outcome might not be the decision you want, especially if you haven't socially transitioned.
- The process doesn't appear straightforward, even in my circumstances. With the provider I'm looking at, the process would involve spending an hour with one specialist, who will likely refer me to another specialist. After that, I'd probably need to get a blood test from a local GP, then have a further appointment with whoever makes recommendations, vis a vis prescriptions. The GP would likely be the person acting on the recommendation.
We'll see how it goes in the new year.