Finally made that all important appointment...

[Kieron Andrew]

Well i finally had a letter sent to me today explaining the **** up, and although the wait is slightly longer than i anticipated because of said **** up, the process will be shorter in the long run so i can deal with that, heres what they said...

Dear.....

I apologise that there has been some confusion recently following a referral from your GP regarding your issues with Gender Identity. As you are aware following our phone conversation, initially you were offered an appointment by the Assessment service with the CMHT. This has changed because the likely result of this assessment would be a referral to the Specialist Gender Screening Clinic for Gender Identity Disorders held here in Bristol. Therefore it makes sense to bypass the Assessment Service and arrange for your referral to come directly to the Specialist Gender Screening Service, this should have been done straight away but unfortunately I had a leave of absence when your referral came through and it got passed to the Assessment Centre at Gloucester House, Southmead Hospital instead, who then offered you an Initial Assessment Appointment.

Unfortunately, as this is a Specialist Clinic provided by the NHS for which there is a considerable demand, there is a waiting list as it is only held one day a month. The next available appointment is on Monday 13th October 2008 at 2pm, please can you telephone to confirm that you will be able to attend this appointment. I do appreciate that this is some considerable wait but we are able to refer directly to the GIC after this assessment, if appropriate. Therefore, although you may have to wait longer than you originally anticipated, this is the most direct route to the specialist services and the optimal care pathway for you. I appreciate you patience with this matter and apologise immensely for the mix up you have endured. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact my secretary and I am happy to also have a conversationn with you over the telephone if you find this helpful

Your sincerely

........

so there you have it boys and girls, thats the deal...i did just call her and she assures me i am also at the top of the cancellation list...but she says to bear in mind that these appointment rarely get cancelled

[CaptLex]

i am also at the top of the cancellation list...but she says to bear in mind that these appointment rarely get cancelled

But you know people who know people . . . in Jersey (show them that pic of Mr. Soprano ) . . . so you never know what can happen.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for a cancellation or that the time passes quickly otherwise.

[Kieron Andrew]

But you know people who know people . . . in Jersey (show them that pic of Mr. Soprano ) . . . so you never know what can happen.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for a cancellation or that the time passes quickly otherwise.

now that i know the true reason for the inital appointment being cancelled im not actually worried about the initial wait til October because thereafter it should be a smoother run, plus i have my trip which takes up a month and the renovations on my house to keep me busy so it will soon come

[melissaK]

Wow. A bureaucrat that wrote a personal, informative, apologetic letter using complete sentences.

So is that a common thing in the UK? Not something I'd expect from a US bureaucrat. I rather think he'd be punished for it here . . . daring to admit something less than perfection had occurred just doesn't happen. Some supervisor would march into his or her office waving the letter and shouting: "What the F you think you're doing - saying this office screwed up! It's not 'your' office, its my F'in office and when we've screwed up I'll F'in let you know. You tell 'em when their F'in appoinment is and that's it. Got it!"

Never admitting an error to have a perfect record to assure promotions is a way of life here in any business or governmental organization.

Well, great letter, and good luck with the home renovations - (and remember, best lay off the Capt'ns rum when you're working with the power tools . . .)

hugs,
'lissa

[Kieron Andrew]

good luck with the home renovations - (and remember, best lay off the Capt'ns rum when you're working with the power tools . . .)

One, i dont drink rum.....two im not doing the work