First NHS Appointment: What to expect?

[snakey]

On the last day of this month I have my first appointment at the gender clinic on the NHS (in this case, Dr Olive at the Norfolk & Waveney clinic). As the time grows closer, I'm getting anxious. (I'm good at that

Comments

[ganimede]

I've been going through the Claybrook Centre at Charing Cross so I don't know how my experience there will relate to the place you're going. At my first appointment, I was asked what I'd done since deciding to transition, such as changing my name, changing how I dressed and that kind of thing. Then I talked about my life history, my childhood, the toys I played with, the people I identified with, the clothes I preferred to wear, etc. There weren't any tests, medical or otherwise. It was just a case of looking back over my life and picking out all the points that indicated my being male identified.

I hope that helps in some way.

[mistress_steph]

I myself only ever went to my first NHS appointment, but have never been back due to how I feel I was treated there.  That was at the Claybrook Centre at Charing Cross, like hanimede.

But I know may other people, again like hanimede, who have had a wonderful experience with the NHS, either at Chring Cross or other centres across the coutry.

Try not to worry, don't let anyone else's horror stories put you off. Go along, anser all the questions honestly, be as thorough as possible, do not tolerate being interrupted by the Dr and tell him/her off if he/she tries, and try to enjoy the experience.

If you really don't like how it goes, or end up unhappy in any way, you do still have the option of going private. It might mean saving up for a while and therefore may take longer to see someone, but it is an option.

Give the NHS the benefit of initial trust, don't be scared, and I sincerely hope that things go ok for you.

All my love and best wishes,
Steph Summers
-x-

[mistress_steph]

P.S. - apologies for spelling Ganimede's user name wrong not once, but twice.

I did it once, didn't realise, then did a copy & paste. My bad. Forgive?