For those unaware there is a #TransRightsProtest going on in London right now, so I thought I'd try to explain a little bit of the current state of being trans in the UK for those on my TL who may be unaware
I was going to cover a few areas, but I'll have to limit it just to medication for now😅
In general there is a lot of hostility in the UK against trans folk; in trans spaces we actually refer to the UK as TERF island because of this.
In general there is a lot of hostility in the UK against trans folk; in trans spaces we actually refer to the UK as TERF island because of this.
As it stands today, trans healthcare on the NHS is not a thing. Trans healthcare typically refers to hormone treatment (HRT) or surgeries needed for someone to be comfortable in their own body in order to do this on the NHS you need a referral to a Gender Identity Clinic (GIC)
But those clinics currently report 3-4 year waiting lists. Though when you actually look at the reported rate they've been getting through in reality it's closer to a 20 year wait. That's just the wait for the 1st appointment!
That goes against the NHS's own guidance for wait time of 18 weeks nhs.uk/nhs-services/h…
The medication is pretty common too it's just gate kept. The gel I use currently is prescribed to women going through menopause which they can get prescribed straight from a GP
The medication is pretty common too it's just gate kept. The gel I use currently is prescribed to women going through menopause which they can get prescribed straight from a GP
A lot of trans folk would like GPs to just be able to prescribe directly to us too.
Most people (myself included) pay to go private and have appointments and medication prescribed through a provider. Once you get the prescription, it's a postcode lottery as to whether you have
Most people (myself included) pay to go private and have appointments and medication prescribed through a provider. Once you get the prescription, it's a postcode lottery as to whether you have
to pay for the medication out of pocket or if your GP will convert it into an NHS prescription; the only reason they refuse to do that is transphobia.
There is no reason why they cannot prescribe based on professional advice, as good GPs are more than happy to do just that!
There is no reason why they cannot prescribe based on professional advice, as good GPs are more than happy to do just that!
If you want surgeries (Such as GRS) you have to pay for it all out of pocket. Which are likely to be in the realm of £10-20k per surgery.
As it currently stands, lots of people who want this can't have it due to the insane price cost and those that can essentially have to
As it currently stands, lots of people who want this can't have it due to the insane price cost and those that can essentially have to
save up and forgo a house deposit for it.
Other nations have approached this much better; both socialised or private nations. So there isn't an reason UK treatment needs to remain as it is. Hopefully people in power will start to see that soon and stop the unneeded gatekeeping.
Other nations have approached this much better; both socialised or private nations. So there isn't an reason UK treatment needs to remain as it is. Hopefully people in power will start to see that soon and stop the unneeded gatekeeping.
I didn't cover everything, but hopefully that gives you a small insight into some of the current medical struggles we face.
I originally wanted to talk about more of the reasons people are protesting but this thread is already quite long as is😅
I originally wanted to talk about more of the reasons people are protesting but this thread is already quite long as is😅
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