It is perhaps inevitable, following the negative attention that my business partner, colleague and wife, Dr Helen Webberley, has received since focussing on her work with transgender patients, that I too should be subject to investigation by the GMC.
Yesterday (15.11.18), I was called before a medical tribunal and a minor restriction was placed on my ability to practice. The tribunal has ordered that, while my valuable work with transgender patients can continue, all patients receiving Testosterone therapy must come and see me in my clinic on a personal basis, rather than by video consultation.
Transgender care and working with hormonal manipulation is a relatively new and emerging field of medicine and while other developed countries seem far quicker to adopt modern ways of thinking, the UK seems to be playing catch up. The Women and Equalities report on transgender equality, published in January 2016, highlighted the fact that transgender patients are being ‘let down’ by the NHS, a view that is backed up by our patients daily.
This growing patient group is no less deserving of timely, caring, professional support than any other group of individuals. The fact that there is a high incidence of self harm and suicide amongst this group, simply makes their needs all the more pressing. And yet the provision of support is so dire that patients can be left waiting up to four years for a first appointment.
The NHS is responding. It has acknowledged that waiting times are excessive. It has encouraged GPs to support patients with more straightforward needs themselves and refer more complex cases to the relevant Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) but still GPs are reluctant to help. Given the response that those doctors looking to specialise in gender care have received, including myself and Dr Helen Webberley as well as Dr Russel Reid and Dr Richard Curtis before us, it’s easy to see why.
I am a Consultant Physician of 23 years standing and with 34 years of service to the NHS. I act within my professional competency at all times. A full breakdown of my career highlights can be seen here. I am more than adequately qualified in terms of credentials, years of practise and experience to medically manage hormonal manipulation and the needs of transgender patients.
I believe, in-line with global best practice, as adopted in the US and Australia, that transgender care to patients of all ages should be provided on a case by case basis in a compassionate way.
Gender variant patients must be given adequate access to appropriate healthcare. Where they cannot or choose not to wait, private options must be allowed. Currently, the only service providing such timely support to patients of all ages is GenderGP.co.uk, without this service patients seemingly have no choice but to face the excruciatingly long waits offered by the NHS.
Dr Mike Webberley
Hi Mike,
The help from you and Helen have rescued me from a very dark place and given me hope and faith in the future. Part of that faith is that in time the work that you do will be recognised as ground breaking and invaluable.
Stay strong.
I am apalled by the testimonies of NHS patients regarding waiting times and mistakes.I once read about someone travelling from Scotland to London for an appointment to be told that it was cancelled and was asked “Didn’t you receive the letter ?”
What a stupid question !!The answer given was I believe
“No , that is why I am here !!”
My story is very different from Marianne’s as I took the WPATH route.
I had counselling by telephone and Skype . I was recommended the safe method of self medication which I followed to the letter . I bought my hormones online and made sure I got the cheapest deal by buying in bulk . I had my operations In Thailand with PAI in November 2012 – 6 years ago TODAY !!
I had some facial surgery along with SRS which I refer to as Serious Really Serious surgery . I know that different references are now made to describe Transsexual Surgery but a rose by any other name etc. I put together £12,000 to cover all my costs to and from Thailand and had plenty of change from that to buy some outfits when I came home . Now here is the NHS bit you will love this. The day before I left for Bangkok I received a letter from the London Clinic asking If I still wanted to be on the list for my FIRST appointment.For a laugh I phoned up to enquire when that appointment might be .
I was told maybe April 2013 so I said “Oh you mean July August” ? We both had a little giggle at that. In NHS speak April usually means July at least. Their letter went straight in the bin. Even better when I came home from Thailand I went straight to my GP with my letters from the PAI surgeons confirming what treatments I had had and asked for a prescription for some Oestrogen pills. The doctor phoned the LEEDS Gender Clinic and asked what facilities they had to offer me. They refused me point blank because I was post-op.
The only help they did offer was their standard dose of Oestrogen for post-op clients. I wasn’t too bothered for the snub as my GP was able to find a Consultant in St.Helen’s Hospital who had “an interest in Transgender Care ” and was willing to see me for an annual check up – blood test etc.
He prescribed the Leeds Clinic dose for me and My GP was able to follow on with that. I was still self medicating up till then. I had brought a 6 month supply of Oestrogen home from Thailand and didn’t need them all as the reaction from MY GP was so prompt. Pills in Bangkok were dirt cheap by our standards and it was worth it for the backup. When I look back on all that I feel that I did it all myself but the truth is that without the people in the WPATH helping me I would probably still be waiting for my ops !! More recently You good people at GenderGP have helped me further (didn’t need a lot).
I do however recommend your services to anyone who needs your help. I do checkout Youtube for international movement and I also recommend the posts that show how transgender people are treated in other countries . I am heartend that many countries have enacted laws to include LGBTQ people in their protections. Parts of America are a bit worrying in their treatment of children as one post about a school that wouldn’t allow an 8 year old to use the toilet to the point where she was wetting herself on a regular basis. Needless to say I put my comment on that video calling them out for child abuse of the worst kind. I really felt for the child and I got a couple of likes for my comment . I have followed a few cases like that to see what the developments are as America is in a state of upheaval at the moment.
I am of the opinion a route guided by a Doctor (GP etc) is the best than any self-administered route. I have been thwarted on my route via the NHS but will still consult him for any advice to solve the no-go situation I am in. I was advised by GenderGP that modest HRT therapy for M2F gender dysphoria would put my mind at rest if agreed.
Absolutely no doubt in my mind, had it not been for your service, facing the 2-year wait for the first consultation with Nottingham GIC, I would be dead now. Thanks to you both I am myself. I owe my life to you.
If the NHS know-it-alls would like to consult me on this they can feel free, but if they do anything that threatens your practise and treatment, you can be assured of my presence at a demonstration outside the highest levels of the GMC.
Where is their Hippocratic oath now? By failing to act they are knowingly allowing transgender patients to die.
The professional services you and GenderGp offer to our community is a godsend. It angers and upsets me as I know it upsets so many of my sisters and brothers in our trans community in the mistreatments you’ve been going through. Good people, truthful people, successful people always suffer when something positive and honest is being achieved. Sending you much love and positive vibes. You will get through this because we are an extended family. You and your team support us and we support you too. Onwards and upwards. x
It honestly really upsets me how much you and Helen come under attack for being the only people in the UK who will provide safe care for transgender people.
At this point it feels like the system is deliberately out to harm trans people while providing worse than bare minimum care so as to pretend that they care.
It is an intolerable position for GPs wanting to treat and for trans people. The main London clinics have failed to keep pace yet somehow believe they are the only fit Consultants to treat. Most GPs with a little training could do as much observation as is actually done in the London clinics. That psychiatry plays an important part in diagnosis and treatment is historical when the trans syndrome was thought to be a mental illness but should not be necessary in most cases. Also these experts in the London clinics have failed to do any research into the trans syndrome unlike clinics in many other nations, Spain, Netherlands Australia, USA and others.
I am really worried at this turn of events. My 18 year old trans daughter is hoping to start oestrogen in the next few months. Will her online options be compromised? There has been so much negative press on this subject that it seems more like a witch-hunt.
I am currently in the best place I have ever been and it’s all down to you guys at Gender gp.
To think that this service could be taken away horrifies me, you do an amazing job, I’m still waiting for my first NHS appointment 18 months now..
I have honestly found this disturbing.
Like many others i state that if it wasnt for Gender GP i would either be deceased or an absolute drain on the system in respects to being off sick with mental issues and at the bottom of the pile.
I will say i did approach my GP, and all the forms were filled in for the charing cross clinic, 2 years later i have yet to hear from them.
Can you sue the NHS for this total lack of treatment nor acknowledgment? Maybe the Trans community should, we have to make a statement that being treated this way is not cricket.
Gender GP…. please carry on, your without doubt a life saving service.
Hi Mike
Whilst I haven’t spoken to you directly, I have spoken with the wonderful Marianne, who was so friendly and respectable. My experience with NHS-based Trangender care has been abysmal and I have been mistreated and practically abandoned. You and your team achieved in 2 months what the NHS failed in 5 years. Even at the point where I was seriously contemplating ending my life because I couldn’t look in the mirror and see who I should be, the NHS looked away. You literally saved my life by taking the time to actively listen to me and my needs and knew that it was entirely possible to do what I wanted, and then you did it. No hassle, no fuss, no drama. Without you and you amazing team, I probably would have given up just like the NHS have done. I cannot praise your team highly enough and will 100% recommend you to everyone I meet. The fact that this happened simply because you are doing yoir jib goes to show how flawed the NHS has become. Drs do need to take on more responsibility for the broader things in ones transition and leave the major decisions to those like yourself who are clearly competent, meaning waiting times drastically reduce. Marianne managed to have a 41 minute call and know everything, whereas the GICs waited 5 years and said they need to know me better. She is amazing. Caring and easy to talk to and knew that I needed this. The NHS should lead by your example.