I've been under the care of an NHS GIC during my transition, and I'm at the stage where they are willing to give me a referral for SRS. First off, I turned them down, and simply gave the reason that I didn't want surgery. However, I do want surgery, just not with the NHS.

So, I want to know if anybody has had experience of getting a surgery letter from the NHS for a private surgeon. Do they ever do this? Or will they refuse as they only give referrals within the NHS?

I mean, they've already indicated that they feel I'm ready for surgery, and this way I'm saving them money. What grounds could they have to say no?

Thanks, Emma.

i don't know where you're going, but they gave me a photocopy of my notes and in there were all of the referral letters that i needed. it was all NHS CX specific, but the surgeon i saw didn't seem to mind.

they did tell me that they would send me a refferal letter that wasn't so NHS CX specific and then never got round to sending me anything! i didn't press the case with them though, because the surgeon told me that he had everything he needed.

my last conversation there suggested to me that they are actually happy for people to go privately for surgery and they will support this, but only if they've jumped through the neccessary hoops beforehand. sounds like you have, so i don't think you'll have any problem. you could always write to the psych you see and ask them if they can get something together for you, as well as getting in contact with the surgeon explaining your situation and asking them what they need. it'll speed things along, rather than wait for your next appointment with them.

Thanks, I'm glad to hear that they should be okay with it. I'm actually going to see them this Wednesday, but I didn't know whether to come straight out with it, or to test round the edges first. You've given me reason just to go straight for the kill.

I suppose it's pretty sad that I should be a bit scared whether to ask them or not, I mean they're meant to be supporting me. I attend Leeds GIC, and they've been pretty good so far (except for the lead psychiatrist). I'll actually ask for an addressed referral letter, cause I already know where I'm going, and I think the surgeon would prefer something to him specifically.

If not, it's a case of finding somebody else who will do it, and who doesn't cost the earth.

I asked for a letter today from my therapist, and she said it was no problem that I wasn't having surgery on the NHS. She said that she would write 'SRS self-funded' in my notes and then discharge me.

However, when we got onto the topic of what the letter should have in it. She seemed so completely ignorant of what a surgery letter is supposed to be. I mean, I had to say to her several times 'you need to state that I am an acceptable candidate for SRS'. But I still don't think she got me.

I'll have to speak to her again later.




PS I didn't know Dr Rowe had left Leeds GIC, I might go out and celebrate...

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