UK, trans, GICs, general salt
Looking at https://transhealthuk.noblogs.org/covid-19-gender-identity-clinics/#clinics - which, by now, I know I shouldn't - and chuckling grimly at the CHX listing giving waiting times of "33+ months".
Well, yes. If you follow the link, they admit they're seeing referrals made in Sep 2017, and they've been waiting "33 to 36 months".
However, it's grown far worse since then, with them recently advancing one month every five months (at most; it could be 6-7) - so someone joining their list today could expect to be seen sometime around 2036.
(In reality, it's more likely the "trial" GIC model per TransPlus, CMAGIC, and Indigo will be extended in some way, eventually producing a more humane system, even if still thoroughly medicalised - but that's going to take years)
Me? Probably 2028 or so. Which.. isn't something I can think about safely.
UK, trans, GICs, general salt
@porsupah uuugh, that waiting time is a killer
UK, trans, GICs, general salt
@FreyaManibrandr It's abominable. At least I was able to get started with HRT, though even /that/ took effort, with my first attempt rebuffed due to being "insufficiently socially transitioned" - the endocrinologist basically wanted me to do that /first/. And he remains one of the senior figures in the GIC system.
GRS, though - it's either somehow get through the whole GIC process, or go private, at around £14k. (There's no private insurance available that'll cover anything transition related, other than executive-priced plans, or a few for large corporations)
That is to say: fuck gatekeepers.
re: UK, trans, GICs, general salt
@FreyaManibrandr The Tories have long been an awful lot, but the last few years have seen them completely radicalised, seeing a "populist" strategy is indeed successful, coupled with ejecting more moderate sorts like Bercow. They now feel emboldened to proceed with /any/ policy they wish, including installing the former Daily Mail editor as chief of the press regulator, and likewise loyal Tories at the top of the BBC.
There is some hope, at least, in the form of the "trial" GICs: TransPlus, CMAGIC, and Indigo, but they're all limited in intake, so not relevant to most trans people. That said, they do indeed appear to *listen* to people, and work with them to achieve their goals, rather than the abominable adversarial system most are currently stuck with. Not informed consent, but, not far off GenderGP either.
The thing now is to try to get this cooperative model rolled out further, before the end of the three year period these new ones are currently active for. I imagine it'll be simpler to build anew as with those, than reform CHX et al - Barrett, Seal, et al won't ever change.
Ultimately, though, what we really need (in addition) is GPs being given guidance that yes, HRT is fine for all patients, not just cis, and there's nothing weird involved. (The GICs' own GP guidance is only a few pages, stating what many of us already know - the various forms of delivery, what to test and how often, and so on)