I came across this article and although not every TG is considering Transitioning, this is for those who are. Hope you find it interesting reading if not of some use

http://beingdrusilla.wordpress.com/trans-resources/what-happens-at-charing-cross-gic/

Often a thought but one I now feel is precluded by age – on hindsight I probably should have made the decision to transform years back, but for one reason or another, never did. Wendy x

i have heard thats a fabulous book and i am gonna read it xxxthanx jady xxx

That was really interesting, Especially, with me pondering the Possibility of going full time.

But, there is a lot to sort in my unstable life before, I can go through such routes... xx thanks Jady x

Thanks for this very interesting..If wishes were horses !! xx Antonia

Hi jady nice link,love anniemarie xxx

Hi,

GIC, does that mean gender identity clinic or something like that?

My psychotherapist suggested I should go to Nottingham rather than Charing X, anyone know if there's any difference between the 2 (other than geographically)?

Hi Jady,

Thanks for your message but at the moment, I have a bit of a problem that does not allow me to respond to messages in the normal way, which is a bit inconvenient.

I have been waiting for an appointment from them for ages now, the process was started in November 2011, but with errors made by the CMHT that I was sent to,
which I had to complain about, which came out in my favour, this delayed things by 3 months or so.

I have sent 2 letters now to the GIC in West London, both sent via special delivery over the past couple of months, as I don't really trust the normal postal service,
but I have heard nothing from them at all so far, which leads me to believe that they don't really care as much as the literature that they send out suggests.

I am just a little concerned about what I might do if they refuse my request, just for Hormone Replacement Therapy at the moment which is something that I would really
like to get.

Best wishes and thanks again for your reply.

Tiara x

I have read the last two comments with interest as a guy who has lived thru my partners transition start to finish, first Amie I think that the GIC at Charing X work a slightly different agenda to other GIC's I do know they do there own in house second opinion and if your sent to there from another GIC you are required to start the full process from scratch I know this as my partner was offered this as one of her choices she went to Brighton which suited her.
Tiara to get hormones you would have to pass your first opinion and pass a rigorous blood test before you would be prescribed hormones so stick at it, it is a long process.
I would like to add these are the rules at present in England and Wales, I understand that Scotland are going to change to a different path in the next few years.
All I can say girls is good look and I wish you all the best.

My psychotherapist told me that at the moment she would like to refer me directly to Nottingham but for some reason the NHS currently won't let her, but that this may change in April when apparently a lot of the rules/boundaries are changing. So instead I now have to go see new doctor, then psychiatrist, then Charing X, which may end up being about April anyway, so I guess I may have a choice..

It may be just a case of waiting lists Amie and yes the rules and boundaries do change a lot back in 09 when my partner started on the pathway she went straight to the GIC now it seems you have to go to a psychiatrist first.