Oak Tree Surgery is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all our patients, including those who are transgender or exploring their gender identity. Our team is here to offer guidance, make referrals when needed, and support both your physical and emotional wellbeing.
If you are questioning your gender or would like to talk about being referred to a Gender Identity Clinic (GIC), our GPs are available to discuss your options. We can explain how referrals work, what to expect, and where you can be seen.
Referrals to Gender Identity Clinics
We can refer you to any NHS Gender Identity Clinic in England although we usually refer to our closest one which is The Laurels in Exeter.
NHS gender identity services are commissioned by NHS England and delivered by specialist multidisciplinary teams, which can offer psychological support, fertility advice, hormone treatment, and surgical pathways.
Please be aware that NHS waiting times are extremely long—often several years.
Some patients choose to seek private assessment or treatment in order to be seen sooner. If you choose private care, this does not affect your ability to remain on an NHS waiting list and most private clinics will accept self referral so you do not require a referral from your GP to access this.
However, patients starting treatment privately should note we do not take over prescribing from private transgender services. You should expect to continue accessing your medications and monitoring through the private provider until you are under the care of an NHS clinic, which will incur private costs.
Once you are formally under an NHS GIC, we may be able to enter a shared care agreement to continue prescribing and monitoring once treatment has been initiated and stabilised by the specialist. Please note shared care is not mandatory, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Please see the practice Shared Care Policy here: Shared Care Policy – Oak Tree Surgery
Bridging Hormones
Due to the long wait for GIC appointments, some patients ask about prescriptions for hormones whilst they are waiting to be seen. Unfortunately, we are unable prescribe bridging hormones. These medications require specialist knowledge, specific monitoring, and expertise outside the scope of general practice. For your safety, we believe these medicines should only be started by specialist clinicians.
Useful Support & Resources
Gendered Intelligence – information, advice and a support line for those awaiting treatment www.genderedintelligence.co.uk
The Laurels Gender Identity Clinic
www.dpt.nhs.uk/service-details/service/west-of-england-specialist-gender-identity-clinic-82