GICs to be renamed ‘Gender Dysphoria Clinics’

[dolorsit]

I've seen this on Twitter

mobile.twitter.com/mum3sun/status/1045622430759350272

Read the new NHS service specifications for gender dysphoria here

www.engage.england.nhs.uk/survey/gender-identity-services-for-adults/user_uploads/specialised-gender-identity-services-for-adults-report-on-outcome-of-public-consultation.pdf

This is really interesting.

I am not sure it's really that meaningful. The medical pathway requires a diagnosis of gender dysphoria before treatment presumably to properly justify the use of limited NHS resources. The GRA consultation won't change the medical pathway requirement for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, it does however pave the way for changing the legal recognition pathway to potentially exclude this.

Will read this document, thanks OP.

There's a thread on twitter about it. Bit too tired to give much thoughtful analysis, but they are looking at more money, shorter waiting times, self referral (by passing GP), and moaning about lack of laser and electrolysis. Also that GIC's must not insist on family members or others attending appointments - not sure if this is in relation to under age patients?

twitter.com/notrightruth/status/1045730036286967808?s=21

self referral (by passing GP)

I’m really struggling to think of any other NHS secondary care setting where there’s no gatekeeping by GPs. Even when you go private, your insurer requires a GP referral letter. That’s not the way the NHS works - the resources are finite & referrals are based on need, not on say-so. 🙄

Sorry - just noticed my formatting fail. I meant self referral bypassing GP's as in no need to go to the GP at all not referral by a passing GP! I struggled to understand my own post.

Yes Boatyard. GP's are the gatekeepers of the NHS. I can't think of any other area where you can self refer including, as you say, even in private though I expect you can answer an advert and go to a dodgy plastic surgeon. Suspect this may be the direction that self referral for dysphoria takes and it won't be doing anyone any favours, least of all the NHS which will end up picking up the bill - presumably balancing the books by reducing funding to other areas.

Speech & Language Therapy - Disfluency Clinic is self refer where I live. No need to go through GP. Child is seen within 7 days.

Parent Sensory Training from Paediatric Occupational Therapy is self refer. Clinic runs monthly with drop in follow up.

You can self refer for physio in my area. And sexual health. So there are some exceptions.

I agree with these changes.

GD clinics, funded by the NHS, should focus on those with a condition that is causing distress/problems not those who consider their gender status (for want of a better term) natural, normal and healthy. The change of name from GI clinics seems to fit with this.

I don't have problems with self referral. Presumably NHS England think this is the most efficient use of resources and the gender specialists are best placed to unpick whether someone has GD or another condition (which they can subsequently make a referral for).

There is no way the NHS should be funding intervention for people who are not suffering from a recognised or unrecognised condition.

I knew a woman in her mid 30s. Comfortable with never having children. Terrible periods - pain, anaemia, fainting and they happened every 14 days. She was warned against the pill because a liver test showed some damage. She could not take any other form of contraception because it adversely affected her menses and symptoms. Mind you she didn't need contraception because her condition was so bad she could not sustain a relationship. This was to try to stop the pain and massive blood loss. She also could not sustain a proper job (she packed shelves at a supermarket when she could) and she lived at home with her parents. In the end, she went back on the pill and developed liver cancer, ending in a huge op where they took a fair bit of her liver. There was follow-up treatment too. The punchline is that it was only after the liver cancer that they gave her what she was begging for from the start (which was her 20s) - a full hyster. She nearly lost her life and she lived in pain for nearly 20 years - but no hyster for her! The double standards are amazing. Mind you, I'm sure she's be reminded to watch her cis privilege.

Parent Sensory Training from Paediatric Occupational Therapy is self refer.

I’m assuming that these parents have a child with a diagnosed disability or need & that it isn’t a case of passing the number around the local mother & baby groups so that anyone can just rock up at a session for the fun of it. Same goes for speech & language therapy. Are details provided by eg health visitors? Seems unlikely it would be completely unfiltered, especially areas like S&LT, where staff are far & few between.

Thanks for posting this OP.
It is a quite reassuring and confirmation of existing good practices: no "informed consent", diagnosis of gender dysphoria needs to be confirmed by 2 practitioners; interventions are serious and need to be considered in the context of physical social and emotional health, actual gender dysphoria is rare, and NHS resources are limited. Gender Dysphoria Service is a better description.

@boatyardblues

The Parent Sensory Clinic is booked by sending an email to the address indicated on the website. No HV or GP involvement at all.

The Disfluency Clinic is a phone call to the secretary for an initial assessment appt. Again details on website.

There cannot be many parents who would chose to book appointments for 'fun'. You do obviously need to know the website exists, mind you. I did because I am a primary school teacher and aware of local services for parents.