Health Corner

To start NHS gender-affirming medical care, you'll typically need a referral to a Gender Identity Clinic (GIC). There are two main routes:

NHS: Your GP can refer you, or some NHS clinics let you refer yourself directly. Check the clinic's website for their policy.

Private: All private services let you contact them directly without a GP referral.

Not always. If you are self-referring or using a private service, you don't strictly need a GP appointment. But there are good reasons to involve your GP early:

• They will be involved later anyway, for blood tests, prescriptions, and shared-care arrangements with the GIC.
• They can make the referral for you if you'd rather not do it yourself.
• They can update your NHS records (name, title, gender marker) at the same time.
• They can refer you to other supportive services you might need.

Even if you self-refer or go private, you still need to be registered with an NHS GP for general healthcare.

Book the appointment the same way you would any other GP appointment. If you're comfortable, mentioning it's about a gender clinic referral can help the practice schedule a longer slot and have the right forms ready. If you'd rather not share that with reception, you can say it's a mental health appointment.

A few things that help:

• Research what your GP is meant to do. Some GPs haven't done this referral before. Take written information with you.
• Choose your clinic. In England, you can choose which adult GIC to be referred to — it doesn't have to be the closest one.
• Plan what you'll say. Bullet points, a written letter to hand over, or a trusted person in the waiting room can all help.
• Plan something gentle afterwards. These appointments can be emotionally heavy. Be kind to yourself after.

Your GP will need to fill in the referral form. Common questions include:

• Your current gender identity and pronouns
• Whether you've had any prior gender-affirming treatment
• Your medical history and current medications
• Any access needs (interpreter, advocate, wheelchair access)
• When you started thinking about your gender, and how it has changed over time
• Any social changes you've made (name, title, presentation)
• What support and treatments you'd like from the gender clinic

There are no “right” answers. Be honest. As an adult, you can choose what to share and what to keep private — but don't lie, as inconsistencies can affect your care later.

GPs have professional standards. They should not:

• Refuse to refer you because of personal beliefs
• Insist you wait months “to see if you change your mind”
• Require you to lose weight, come out to others, or undergo body examinations before they refer
• Refer you to mental health services first (if you're an adult)
• Treat you less well because of your race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any protected characteristic

If you are d/Deaf or aren't fluent in English, you're entitled to request an interpreter. Always.

You have rights. The General Medical Council publishes guidance on trans healthcare that sets out what GPs are expected to do for trans patients. Showing them this guidance is often enough.

If your GP still won't refer:

• Ask to see a different GP at the same practice
• You can switch GP practices without giving a reason
• You can make a formal complaint about discrimination

If you are a Black trans or non-binary person facing additional barriers in accessing healthcare, email us and we'll support you.

NHS gender clinic waits in the UK are currently very long — often years, not months. The exact wait varies by clinic, and most clinics publish current waiting times on their website.

Once your referral is accepted, you should receive a confirmation letter within a few weeks. If you don't, follow up to make sure the referral was sent and received — mistakes happen.

While you wait, peer-to-peer support and counselling sit alongside you. You shouldn't have to do the waiting alone.