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+---
+title: Private Care
+x-toc-enable: true
+...
+
+You'll still be using the NHS
+==============================
+
+Even with private care, you'll still use your GP for a lot of things
+probably, including blood tests and endocrinologist referrals, unless
+you get those privately too. The following external website maintains a
+register of good and bad GPs:\
+<http://transfigurations.org.uk/trans-friendly-doctors/>
+
+Get a blood test BEFORE seeing an endo, and take the results with you.
+
+You should still self-medicate
+==============================
+
+Private trans care providers still have waiting lists, and still make
+you wait a while (not very long) for HRT after you first see them, in a
+lot of cases.
+
+If you wish to start HRT while waiting for services with one of these
+providers, refer to our [HRT self-medication guide](hrt-internet.md)
+
+You should also get on the NHS waiting list
+===========================================
+
+You should only use private care while on the NHS waiting list. [You
+should get on the NHS waiting list as soon as possible.](adults.md)
+
+Use one of these providers
+==========================
+
+## GenderGP (UK)
+
+<https://gendergp.co.uk/>
+
+Informed consent clinic in the UK. Provides services over the internet
+(email, video call, etc) or in person. Prescribes HRT quickly.
+
+**They treat children. They even prescribe HRT to children below the age
+16; this includes full hormone treatment, not just blockers.**
+
+They provide advice, and they can also refer you to surgery and can help
+you get on NHS waiting list etc. Very good clinic, especially if you're
+in an awkward area of the UK where transport links to traditional
+clinics makes transitioning unrealistic and/or unaffordable through a
+regular GIC.
+
+This clinic has proven to be controversial, precisely because they are
+providing decent care that patients want. [Channel 4 even covered
+them](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf_EGumQRxQ).
+
+## GenderCare (UK)
+
+<http://gendercare.co.uk/>
+
+This is very good and they don't gatekeep much. Their waiting lists are
+relatively rather high (as of August 2017) due to high demand,
+so it might be better to use GenderGP or wait on NHS referall.
+
+Go to [gendercare.co.uk](http://gendercare.co.uk/) for details.
+
+Book an appointment with Dr. Lorimer and Dr. Seal.
+
+## Chase Brexton (Maryland, USA)
+
+<http://www.chasebrexton.org/>
+
+Informed consent clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. If you live in this
+area or nearby areas (e.g. Washington DC) then you can use this clinic
+for HRT. **Informed consent means you just get HRT, once they check your
+blood test results and so on (i.e. no gatekeeping).**
+
+This clinic \*also\* prescribes sublingual estradiol, unlike most
+clinics (it also can prescribe oral or transdermal). Most clinics do not
+prescribe sublingual.
+
+Go to [chasebrexton.org](http://www.chasebrexton.org/)
+
+## Fenway Health (Massachusetts, USA
+
+<http://fenwayhealth.org/>
+
+Informed consent clinic. If you live in the state of Massachusetts, you
+can use this provider for HRT. You can also use this if you live nearby,
+e.g. Rhode Island.
+
+They also have [this useful
+guide](http://fenwayhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/Massachusetts-ID-Change-Quick-Guide.pdf)
+showing how to change your legal name and gender marker on official
+documents, if you live in Massachusetts.
+
+Go to [fenwayhealth.org](http://fenwayhealth.org/).
+
+## Thundermist  (Rhode Island, USA)
+
+<http://www.thundermisthealth.org/Services/TransHealthAccess.aspx>
+
+Informed consent clinic, can prescribe hormones.
+
+Go to <http://www.thundermisthealth.org/Services/TransHealthAccess.aspx>
+
+## Michelle Forcier (Rhode Island, Providence, USA
+
+<https://www.lifespan.org/michelle-forcier-md>
+
+Go to your GP, and ask for a referral to her. The hospital that she
+operates in is:
+
+    RIH Dept. of Pediatrics
+    245 Chapman St, Ste 100
+    Providence, RI 02905
+    401-444-5980
+    401-444-3873
+
+Go to <https://www.lifespan.org/michelle-forcier-md>
+
+\*\*BAD\*\* providers which you should \*\*AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE\*\*
+====================================================================
+
+TransHealth Ltd, or any clinic run by Dr. Richard Curtis. His clinic is
+heavy with gatekeeping, and refuses to prescribe injectable estrogen or
+oral estrogen. They also regularly refuse to prescribe spironolactone.
+They will only prescribe gels or patches for estrogen, and they will
+refuse to authorise surgery if you tell them that you self-medicate or
+use alternative sources for HRT (e.g. NHS GIC for injections. They
+won't prescribe GnRH (injection to shut down hormonal system, to block
+testosterone) or cyproterone acetate.
+
+They regularly gatekeep people for several *psychotherapy* sessions
+before prescribing HRT, and they are more likely than any other GIC to
+actually *refuse* to prescribe HRT for gatekeeping reasons (e.g. they
+might decide that you are *not trans*).
+
+They are also heavily biased against non-binary people.
+
+***DO NOT USE Dr. Curtis's services.***
+