Gender Identity Clinic

I write as a past patient, with Autism, of London GIC, when I was referred there in 1999. I saw Professor Richard Green, the "top" man. He was nice, but unhelpful in that he deflected me away from the idea that I was male, when I had been diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria by a specialist at St. George's Hospital. He also said I didn't need any sort of treatment, so I went to him every six months (compare that to todays waiting times!) for Counselling up to 2007 (when he retired). Dr. Barrett discharged me from the clinic after I met my now partner, saying there was no point in my coming to the clinic anymore. Neither Doctor understood my Autism. I could have done with the extra support still. Fast forward to 2020, my Gender Dysphoria returned strongly for various reasons, with the result that I am now officially male and very happy with the hormone treatment I'm having, this year. It's made such a difference. It's no thanks to my GP or the NHS London GIC though, as I had to pay for a private prescription initially after being assessed and approved for treatment privately. I give four stars for the quick appointments all those years ago, but not for the service. My honest advice to others is to seek alternative ways of getting treatment for the Gender Dysphoria, if people want to be seen quickly, as any GIC is not to be trusted. The NHS must get its act together to improve the clinic waiting times and treatment plans or face sanctions.

I am privileged to have started my transition with the GIC before the huge waiting lists, this was 4+ years ago and even then I thought 2 years was a long wait! I am also priveleged in context that it is funded and somewhat supported, I am SO thankful for that.

Everytime I have been seen I have been met with calmness and kindness. Thorough explanation of what hormones do and the affects of HRT and surgeries. I have always left every appointment with knowledge and excitement about my transition.

If you're reading this, please keep going and you're loved.

ive been transitioning for 15 years now - this place is NOT THE ONE . i dont attend the clinic in person anymore because i wont be treated like im second class - this is not ok when this is the only way out for some trans people. Real investigations need to be taken out - i was waiting for ages for an appointment to get my hormones looked at as i wasnt having great effects - instead they booked me in for a "Hysterectomy" at a hospital 2 hours away (im MtF) make it make sense. avoid and just go private - and think of your mental health

GIC is using incredibly suspect practices to reduce its backlog of patients seeking care.
Lying and saying they’ve called multiple times when they call once and let it ring for a handful of seconds, then discharging people off the list. Sending emails that instruction patients to re-complete their intake form (why???) within **72 hours** or get discharged from the list, even though they’ve been waiting for years.

Do better, GIC.

Been trying to get my prescription sorted for the better part of 8months. Send multiple copies of documents they wanted from me with absolutely no progress from them. Now they've been having "I.T issues" for about 4months??? Clearly a lack of care for their patients as it should not take this long to fix, any other service would have this fixed in no time.
Also glad to see they're keeping with the stereotype of receptionists that sound like you've spat in their face from the offset.

The worst health care I have ever received. I’ve been with them since I was 18, I am now 21 and in that time period have only had 2 phone calls and have not yet been given a start date for HRT. My GP has even attempted to get in contact with them and they haven’t replied. They clearly do not respect or care about their patients and have been having ‘IT’ issues since July. It’s either untrue or everyone who works there is too incompetent to figure out how to send an email. It makes me sad for the state of the NHS but unfortunately I can’t afford private healthcare and am disabled

I was on the waiting list for 4 years before i got my first appointment. Then 15 months later had my 2nd appointment. Thank you to Dr Berner and Dr Houlton I am now on testosterone and awaiting top surgery. I’m grateful that we have people like them who care and make sure they do the right thing for their patients. They have saved my life, so I have all the respect for them. Never had a problem with the receptionists. Always polite and helpful. Thank you!

Been waiting months for my prescription! It’s so disappointing- they shouldn’t tell people they can start their treatment then make them wait months! Been on the waiting list years now finally told I can start my treatment and having to wait more… always a ‘back log’.