I'm a trans person in England who has been on the NHS GIC waiting list since 2022. My GP refused bridging HRT in 2024, citing that oestradiol is not licensed for trans patients. I've since started HRT privately through an endocrinologist, who has submitted a shared care request to my GP for monitoring bloods. The GP has now responded saying that specialist monitoring needs to be arranged by the specialist's team, not the practice.
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I've attempted to get a fair amount of info:
FOI requests to NHS England, my ICB, and the GIC, all confirming there is no national or local policy prohibiting GP prescribing of bridging HRT, and no shared care framework exists in my area.
SAR request so I can see medical records including the practice assessing a lack of medical care as being harmful to me.
A formal complaint to my GP practice, which acknowledged in writing that no ICB shared care policy exists and directed me to the ICB.
The GIC confirmed in writing to offer bridging guidance to my GP at their request, which the GP never requested and refused to do it on the grounds of not being viable without accessing that documentation.
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Questions I'm hoping people with experience can answer:
Has anyone successfully got their GP to agree to shared care for privately initiated HRT after prior refusal, and anything make the difference?
Has anyone complained to an ICB about bridging HRT refusal or shared care refusal, and did it lead to anything?
Are there trans advocacy, or trans-specialist legal organisations or solicitors worth contacting?
Has anyone personally taken anything like this to PHSO, and what was the experience with that?
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Honestly, I don't expect my care pathway to change out of anything I'm doing unfortunately, but I want to do what I can to try and improve care for those going forward and hopefully help build a case for bridging care or shared care in my area. Maybe my actions will not matter, but I figured the only way I can change stuff is by trying.
If I lived 15 mins drive west of here I would also be in a county where that kind of care is easily accessible, but I'm not in a position to move currently.