gender clinic referral process

Gender Clinic Referral Process

Once you have been to see your GP, it should be around 3 to 6 months before you get an appointment at a gender identity clinic. But from my own experience and that of others this is not always the case. The wait times are getting longer, so be ready to play the waiting game.

If you live in England you are able to self-refer to a Gender Identity Clinic of your choice. Being referred onto a gender clinic directly can be beneficial as you will have one less hoop to jump through.

One of those hoops is the possibility of having to visit a psychologist first before the referral process to a gender clinic begins. They may also choose to send you to a psychiatrist for a second opinion. This is to make sure the initial assessment was correct.

Once those assessments have taken place a referral to a gender identity clinic is done.

What happens when you get to the gender clinic?

When you go to the gender clinic be yourself, be open with them. If you wish you can Pack and/or use a Chest Binder, the choice is yours. On average you will see the therapist at least 3 times or if you feel you have more to discuss they will make more appointments before they refer you onto the doctor for Hormone Treatment.

The first therapist’s appointment

This meeting is a get to know you, so they can help you make sure that this is what you want. They will ask how long you have been having these thoughts, why you feel the way you do and a brief history of your life to date. They may also discuss Changing your name if you haven’t already done so.

The second therapist’s appointment

This time it will be to discuss in detail the options that are available, and what treatments you wish to have:

  • Chest reconstruction surgery
  • Hormone treatment
  • Lower surgery
  • Chest reconstruction surgery (without hormone treatment)

The third therapist’s appointment

At this appointment it will be to check and make sure that this is what you want and that you are happy to go forward with what treatment you wish to have. The referral will then be made to see the doctor.

The appointments with the therapist don’t stop once they have referred you onto the doctor for treatment, they work closely with the doctor and yourself to make sure that you are doing OK and that they are available if you need to discuss anything.

They will expect you to do at least 12 months real life experience (RLE) in your new gender. This period won’t take effect until you have changed your name so make sure you keep hold of any letters in your new name as proof of when you changed it. This will also help if you decide to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate.

Gender Clinics in the UK

England

Scotland

Northern Ireland

  • Shimna House, Belfast (No Website Available)

Gender Clinics for Children and Adolescents