Gender Identity Clinic and Gender Recognition

In 2014 we saw the most significant changes to gender recognition in the UK since the Gender Recognition Act was enacted in 2004.

This was because England, Scotland and Wales made it legal for couples that are legally the same sex to get married.
Before these reforms, couples where one or both partners were seeking gender recognition had to end their marriage or civil partnership first. With same sex marriage legalised, some couples in this situation can remain married or in a civil partnership. This for me and my partner was a big deal changer, as we have been married for 33 years, a long time and divorcing each other was never on the table for us.
This has of course also had a significant impact on transgender people in the UK also; I think the whole system for treatment was not ready for the knock on effects as the Bill was passed. At the gender Identity Clinic I attend in Northamptonshire they have seen referrals go from 70 per year to 70+ per month with the waiting time increasing for patients. The released figures show less than 21 weeks for the first appointment I actually waited 29 weeks and I guess others are going to see longer waiting times in the future.

However, saying that… the service I receive at the clinic is totally fantastic I couldn’t wish for better and a person going privately at a clinic wouldn’t get better the Northamptonshire clinic is NHS England funded and like most if not all NHS services its stretched to breaking point.

I see two consultants Dr Khoosal and Dr Timmins who is a Consultant Neuropsychiatrist, at the Northamptonshire clinic.

Dr Timmins

Dr Khoosal

Dr Timmins has worked at Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust since 2001 and began treating gender identity disorder in his neuropsychiatry practice having gained experience of gender and sexual dysfunction in acquired brain injury.  Dr Timmins is Director of Medical Education for Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust.

The clinic is often attended by doctors in training as well as senior non-consultant grade doctors. I have first hand experience of having a room “full” of medical staff at my recent appointment, its quite intimidating, but they are all professional and put you at your ease very quickly.

The administrative organisation of the team is led by Jeanette Clark who has been responsible for the clinic Co-ordination since 2008.  She provides a friendly and usually immediate response to any client contacting the service.

I can’t speak highly enough of the specialist’s and staff at the clinic in Northamptonshire, being transgender is never easy but the people at the clinic are very understanding and none judgemental I would rate them as outstanding in the care they have offered me.

The clinic is easy to find and parking is free, and I have always been able to park which is unlike my local hospital in Cheshire where it’s a total lottery if you get a parking space. The Northamptonshire Gender Service is based at Danetre Hospital, Daventry.

Northampton Gender Identity Clinic

 

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Denetre Hospital
London Road
Daventry
Northants
NN11 4DY

Telephone: 01327 707200

Email: genderclinic@nhft.nhs.uk  

Website: http://www.genderclinic.northants.nhs.uk/ 

Further Information

Lead Clinician: Dr Byran Timmins

Responsible NHS Trust: Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

The Clinic has a Cafeteria next to the unit, with coin operated machines for out of hours and a staffed café /restaurant serving during key hours. It’s a friendly open area, especially if you arrive early or are waiting for someone in the clinic. I must say the whole place is clean and it doesn’t look or smell like a hospital… 

The beauty for me is it’s a couple of hours plus drive south for us and we lived previously in the nearby town of Brackley the home of Mercedes F1 and others. So we know the area very well and visit the town’s shops as well as other villages and towns in the area.

On the way to Brackley we normally pop in to the Heart of England Pub/Hotel in Weedon Northampton NN7 4QD Northamptonshire for a meal, if we don’t eat at the hospital (that is)the pub does good inexpensive food, with a wide choice from the menu the staff have always been OK with me and my family which is always good to hear isn’t it. Being Transgender you hope for this, but occasionally you don’t get it in public places.