GRS Wales Blog

Well I’m glad to say that everything seems to be healing up quite well, disolvable stitches are starting to go and the slight discomfort is also going.

It’s been a long journey getting here, but, I can quite honestly say it was all worth it, except for the mucking about that the Health Commission Wales put me through.

It’s not long now and it will be my big day, I’ve had a few sleepless nights lately, I wouldn’t say I’m worried about the surgery, just excited really that the day is nearly here that I’ve been waiting for, for such a long time.

I always thought that my day would never come round, especially in the way that the Health Commission Wales would not agree to funding my surgery as they class it as “having no clinical need” and a waste of resources.

So after years of fighting for the right to funding, I have had to go down the road that many others in Wales may have to go, the private road, which is very expensive, around £8000, but funny enough if you have surgery done on the National Health it costs almost double strange that really.

Anywho as I will be away having my surgery soon, then I will not be able to post to this little blog of mine, but, I will be taking notes while in the hospital with dates of what is going on, then when I get back I will posting my notes with the dates, just for you.

Yesterday I had my second injection of Zoladex and no side effects so far, so maybe my body has got used to it.
Had a wonderful chat with my doctor and she wished me luck on my operation and gave me a hug before I left the surgery, which made me feel really good.
The operation is only a few weeks away and I think that the realisation has finally hit me that after seven years of waiting on the HCW, I am finally getting my operation (even though the HCW wouldn’t give in and I have had to go private)

Just received another letter from the HCW, it’s funny that they are doing something after so many years, and I had to go private.

Dear Ms xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

RE: External Review of Application of Funding for GID

The External Review of Health Commission Wales considered your case when it met of Friday 12th January 2007. The Panel was of the view that the internal processes had not been completed and advised that these should be put in hand. I have asked the department concerned to look into the case and to write to you without delay.

I am very sorry for this delay and have asked the commissioner concered to contact you as quickly as possible.

Yours sincerely

Simon Dean

Chief Executive

The response to the HCWs review for application for funding has arrived to today and nothing has changed.

“HCW is funding GID treatment for exceptional cases only. Based on information recieved at this time there are no exceptional circumstances relating to this request and as a consequence HCW cannot support funding”

Now the really interesting thing is nobody (and I don’t even think the HCW) knows what a exceptional case actually is!

I’d love to know if anyone out there has been granted funding for surgery from the HCW since they started this rediculus “excpetional case” idea, as to me and many others it just seems to be a single excuse to cover a blatent disregard for the health and welfare of those with Gender Dysphoria who need surgery to complete their long journey.

Imagine my suprise when I recieved  letter from the Health Commission Wales with regards to a “Request for External Review”

Now if my memory serves me right, this was asked for either at the end of 2005 or the beginning of 2006, and now they have only just decided to do it.

So what is the role of the panel?

Well to put it in a simple way, it’s the Health Commission Wales way of saying: “We don’t care about your situation, but, by law we have to have a red tape discusssion on your situation and then still refuse to give you funding”!