One woman’s battles over funding and a lack of understanding from her GP made transition an unnecessarily painful and drawn-out process

“My journey started in 2008. I went to see my GP in Gloucestershire who knew nothing of gender dysphoria, trans or any sex change issues. I told him that I had waited long enough, done my duties and now wanted to change sex.”

Leanne Wilkinson, now 61, had embarked on a long process, starting with a psychological examination locally and then a referral to a London gender identity clinic.

She waited 10 months for an appointment with a psychologist there, then appointments about five months apart with psychiatrists. Each time the travel cost £100-£120.

Then Wilkinson was transferred to another specialist who advised removing hair to enable surgery but local commissioners at first refused to pay for it, further delaying her surgery.

As Wilkinson launched appeals, “I came close to committing suicide twice. I went to my GP with my concerns but he was detached. At one point, he remarked that maybe I should ‘stay as a transvestite’, a comment which hurt me deeply.”

Wilkinson started seeing a female GP who, though more compassionate, “again knew nothing of gender issues, had never met a transsexual, and had to do the research herself.” Wilkinson won the appeal over funding but felt the agony was unnecessary.

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Surgery followed in October 2012. “Four years after initially going to my GP, I was a woman at last.” By then Wilkinson had met a partner over the internet and had moved to be with him in Devon. “It was at this point I discovered there was no aftercare offered by GPs.”

Wilkinson was still bleeding five months after surgery and she soon learned that getting advice from the clinic was not always easy, whether by email, text or phone.

She was eventually prescribed steroid cream to ease scarring, but 10 months later Wilkinson was back at the clinic, pleading for further surgery because the healing had not gone well. In April 2014, Wilkinson underwent further surgery.

Since then, Wilkinson has sought further treatment. “I would like facial reconstruction.

I am allowed eight treatments of electrolysis on my face. This has been allocated by a clinic in Exeter, as I still get facial hair.”

Wilkinson, a former engineer and then care worker who has had trouble finding regular work in Devon, said: “Despite the hormone treatment, I have a deep voice. It would be nice if I did have the voice done, although there are no guarantees that it would work.

I did get some voice tuition in Gloucestershire but I was only allowed five sessions.

“My male partner – we met before the operation – thinks I am attractive. I did not expect to meet anybody, as I have had so many former friends and family turn their backs on me, as well as abuse from a few.

“Knowing I have a good supportive partner has helped but I despair sometimes and I really do understand why a lot of people from the trans community commit suicide,” said Wilkinson.

“You feel desperate, helpless. Though there is trans community support, from fellow trans people, there is not always supportive knowledge from your GP. What you need from your GP is intuitive inquiries, before and after your op.

“Just a phone call would allay any concerns. It would be good if, after the op, the surgical team could get information to your GP and give them the lowdown on the state of your wellbeing.

“I was misplaced for over 50 years. How do you make up for all that heartache? What I would like to do now is feel useful in the community . I would love to go into schools to give support or do talks on being trans, maybe to give knowledge to sex education classes … I just go with the flow and try to ignore the nasty people and stay positive.”

