tzone

George · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 249 Location: Devon

Today I asked my local GPs surgery to change my name and title which they seemed to be ok with.

However I have just had a phone call to say that when they tried to change my title the Exeter PPSA (Patient and Practitioner Services Agency!?) wont change your title until 'you have had the operations'(quote)

Seeing as you can get a Gender Recognition certificate with out having any operations I doubt this is correct.

In the meantime the surgery has put a note on my records to not refer to me as Miss so they are trying to be helpful.

Anyone else come across this? And does anyone understand what the PPSA is!?

**Flameboy** · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

They're talking rubbish! Your GP can write you a letter to change your title on your passport, driving license etc - and there's no reason at all why your medical details can't be changed.

I've got no idea who the Exeter PPSA are, but it might be worth giving them a ring yourself. Or try PALS - the Patient Advice and Liaison Services - I've found a few times that just mentioning them has brought about results - and in one instance, when I actually contacted them (not about anything to do with transition) they were really helpful and sorted the problem out for me.

Good luck!

Dave

Scaeme · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

George, that is bull. Give them hell.
You can use whatever title you want for whatever reason so long as it's not something that it only bestowed by the queen, like knights and Lords and stuff.
Get back on the phone with them. Get the number for this PPSA place and if the person on the phone doesnt change it, ask for a manager. If they refuse, threaten legal action.
The Data Protection Act applies here too. If the details on thier computers say "Miss" and that is not the title you refer to yourself by (which is all it takes to be legaly binding with names) then they have made a breach and they have 2 weeks from bieng informed of it to fix it before the shit hits the fan.
Seriously George, dont stand for this.

_________________
I look back at most of my life and think "WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?!??"

Scaeme · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:48 pm Post subject:

oooh! Good point Dave!
PALS might help if things dont go too well. Saves you having your bluff called ont he lawyer thing Smile

_________________
I look back at most of my life and think "WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?!??"

**Flameboy** · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject:

Scaeme wrote:

You can use whatever title you want for whatever reason so long as it's not something that it only bestowed by the queen, like knights and Lords and stuff.

I think you're also not allowed to use titles that imply some sort of qualification - such as Dr, Professor, Reverend etc. But that's pretty irrelevant, sorry. Anyway, go get 'em, George! Twisted Evil

Dave

Scaeme · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject:

ah yes. Thos too

_________________
I look back at most of my life and think "WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?!??"

**Reenie** · Reporter Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 4085 Location: Glasgow

George wrote:

Exeter PPSA (Patient and Practitioner Services Agency!?) wont change your title until 'you have had the operations'(quote)

Not only is this bullshit, it's against the law.

Titles such as Mr, Mrs, Miss and Ms have no binding legal status and so anyone of any gender can use one or more at any time with impunity.

Where they fall foul of the law is that they will be failing in their duty to abide by the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 which requires that they record all of your personal details accurately. Further, they may not process your information in a manner likely to cause distress.

Give them formal written notice that you demand that they change your title. They will have 21* days to comply after which you may report them to the Information Controller's Office.

(*I think it's 21, but I'd have to look it up.)

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Willowitch · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 28

Hiya

They do have two references to gender which I cannot recall the exact names of but they will change one - the social gender you wich to be known as, but not the other as it relates to biological sex. My GP said that they can NEVER change this as it would compromise any future treatment you had if the records showed you as one sex and your apearance another.

BB

Willow

snowdoggy · Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 244 Location: East Yorkshire

I had the same problem with my GPs office. They were even addressing letters to me as Miss John *******. I asked them why they couldn't just address my mail as John ******* , with no title which they said the computer wouldn't accept. After many arguments and "computer says no" problems they and the computer agreed to M. John ******* which I was ok with. I have now got my GRP certificate come though and have now (last week) got my new birth certificate so I will have to see if this makes any difference.

**Reenie** · Reporter Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 4085 Location: Glasgow

snowdoggy wrote:

...they said the computer wouldn't accept.

They are obliged to modify their computer system in this case. Again, it is a requirement of the DPA 1998. If they refuse on the grounds of cost, they could be in serious trouble. I'm still working on that one...

That you have your GRC is of no significance since this is not a gender issue.

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The Daily Turnout - King of the Throne Room

Cayden · Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 424

hmm my doctors never had a problem when i went in and changed my title.

i just had to sign a piece of paper saying i agreed to the change to my record.

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George · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 249 Location: Devon

Thanks for the replies - it seems things were just as I thought

It would distress me to recieve letters from my GP with Miss George **** on them and I dont see why I should considering I can have a passport and driving licence with my actual name on them.

I still dont understand what this PPSA thing has got to do with it but I will ring the surgery tomorrow and find out who I need to speak to to get this sorted. I'll certainly be mentioning the data protection act

The PALS thing sounds useful too thanks - that'll be plan B

What I dont understand is I carry around in my wallet a letter from my NHS Psych saying I must be 'afforded every courtesy under the provisions of the gender recognition act 2005'! Maybe it doesnt apply to the NHS itself!! Laughing

BlackandPurple · Tzoner Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 870 Location: Australia

In Australia there is no problem with the change of Mr, Miss, Mrs which is lucky here.

But for somebody to put down "Miss George" should get hit over the head and be called an idiot!

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Misery is my company, why do I stand out from the rest of the people around me.

**Flameboy** · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:42 am Post subject:

BlackandPurple wrote:

But for somebody to put down "Miss George" should get hit over the head and be called an idiot!

That'll be Plan C then, eh, George? Laughing

Apparently, this (see slide 26) is what the PPSA does. There now, it's all as clear as mud, huh? Wink

It's utterly ridiculous that the supposed "rules" vary so much in different parts of the country - especially when the response you get is blatently incorrect and illegal in many cases. Some serious education on this is needed - there must be many people around the country without the support of boards such as this who are being told that they will have to have the wrong title on their medical records and are simply putting up with it, regardless of the distress it's causing them.

Dave

George · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 249 Location: Devon

BlackandPurple wrote:

But for somebody to put down "Miss George" should get hit over the head and be called an idiot!

LOL, Im with you there! I did feel like doing that for a while but Ive calmed down now Rolling Eyes

Flameboy wrote:

Apparently, this (see slide 26) is what the PPSA does. There now, it's all as clear as mud, huh? Wink

It does make a bit more sense actually! It seems they administer the database for all the GP's patients, hence why they need to change my details and not the surgery itself - thanks for finding that - you did better than me!