GSUK will be closed from 17 July 2010

[Pollik]

Five months ago, I announced that I was leaving GSUK, viewtopic.php?f=12&t=909 . In response, Helen started a thread to explore whether GSUK still had a future, viewtopic.php?f=12&t=911&st=0&sk=t&sd=a .

Since then, there has been a great deal of constructive debate and, for a while, there was a chance that something good could be salvaged from the wreckage. However, from a number of discussions, it seems clear that GSUK is not really serving any purpose, now, and there is no one who has come forward to take on the role of running the board.

In the circumstances, I will be taking the board down during the weekend of the 17th July 2010.

I think that, through the efforts of its members, GSUK has left its mark in the world of gender variant campaigning and I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made it possible. I am sad that it should end this way, but as one activist said to me, trans people can be somewhat spiky at times, and the success of GSUK was never assured.

Again, thank you to everyone who has been involved and I am proud to know you all.

Just a final reminder of that date:

17th July 2010

[paula_p]

It's a shame this arrives this week what with the destruction of the PCT structures which will surely throw people like myself into the void... all we fought for a decade to achieve will be lost in one swipe of the restructuring and cuts axe.. There is no other site which deals with the legal implications around the rights and funding issues so clearly and logically, so it will be a great loss. There are dark times ahead, already people are starting to post things on other sites showing a general fear for the future.

I do have some experience with running websites based on forums.. my site has been up and running for 4 years next month. As you know the last 12 months I have been put through the wringer and I'm still a little surprised that I'm alive and kicking. IF anybody wants me to I could take on the site.. in the absence of anybody else.. IF.. and that is an IF .. anybody wants me to, and while I still have a home and internet access.

If not.. well.. best wishes to all and thanks for the information and support over the last year or so.. for anybody wanting to carry on somewhere else or run a general information service my site is called "juliaskitchen" .. there are trans bits and news but in non public areas... otherwise to all intents it's a pretty normal food and drink and holidays type site with very little traffic on a free domain and free host. Fire me a pm or something for any more details.. include an email and I will reply.. that's a promise.

Paula xxx

[Pollik]

Hi Paula

Thank you for the offer.

I agree with much of what you say. However, the part of me that is trying to deal with my local PCT would be glad to see the back of them. To their credit, their record on funding GRC is good, but their policy is the usual low priority approach. In trying to work with them, I have found that my contact list list has grown by 30, they retreat behind officialdom whenever an uncomfortable question is asked, the working group had no definable outcome target, they call 'experts' to the group who have little or no knowledge, funding policy is decided before a care pathway has been established....I could go on. Frankly, the money spent so far would have been better applied to medical care.

If you would like to take the forum on, then do please let me know....I am planning to take it down on 17 July.

I am sending this by PM too.

[paula_p]

Hi

Reply sent by pm .. for some reason the server didn't mail me.

What puzzles me is just how scrapping 120 or so PCT's (which have stabilized and now just about work) and replacing them with 400-500 commissioning bodies is supposed to cut costs or reduce red tape. I smell more "jobs for the boys" and more waste as the same "experts" breed more of themselves to fill these new jobs. While it may increase "choice" I doubt very much that it will do anything except waste more money which should be spent on the frontline services. I have never seen a structural change ever improve any government department (and the nhs is just another government department) they just lead to waste and more inefficiency.

[Pollik]

Interesting.

My experience of Hereford PCT leads me to a different perspective. Faceless people (in suits) making policies that are effectively clinical decisions without ever seeing the patient. My GP is not perfect, but he is accountable and reachable. I have been working with my PCT on a care pathway - it has resulted in adding 30 names to my contact list. Jobs for the boys? I think we already have that. This is especially true of the sort of person who goes around collecting committees for a hobby.

This particular piece of work could and should have been completed last year - the money saved could have been used for the primary purpose which is delivering healthcare.

[Pollik]

I have never seen a structural change ever improve any government department (and the nhs is just another government department) they just lead to waste and more inefficiency.

That is what they said when they brought in PCTs for the first time some 25 years ago.

[paula_p]

Hi Polly

Solved my permission problem and now have a full backup stored locally to test whether it works on my testbed server. As soon as that's confirmed to work I will go and find a good webhosting (I have found a couple which look hopeful). All we will need to do then is point the domain at the new host. The users shouldn't notice anything happen... except the usual 24-48 hours for the new link to propagate through the system. Funny how much a brain can forget when it hasn't done something for 3 or 4 years.

Paula

[Pollik]

That's great Paula.

I know what you mean - I don't know how many websites/boards I haver set up over the years. But each time I do it, I have to relearn the process which is a bit tedious.

In the meantime, let me know what you need me to do and when to do it.

[zoeimogen]

Hi all,

Is GSUK officially dead or still hanging on? I'm asking because I've been investigating setting up some sort of group myself (See http://zoe.complicity.co.uk/blog/2010/08/a-uk-transsexual-action-group/) and I don't want to reinvent the wheel!

Zoe.