Current Policy
There are four official NHS policies depending on where you live in the UK:
- England - Interim Gender Dysphoria Protocol and Service Guideline 2013/14
- Northern Ireland - Service Framework for Mental Health and Wellbeing - Gender Dysphoria
- Scotland - NHS Scotland Gender Reassignment Protocol
- Wales - Specialised Services Policy: CP21 Specialised Adult Gender Identity Services
Name, Title and Gender Changes
A GP must update a patient's name, title and gender marker on their records upon request. There is no requirement for medical treatment or a Gender Recognition Certificate before this can happen:
- England/Wales - Chapter 7 of the PDS NHAIS Interaction Procedure Guide gives instructions to GPs on how to do this.
- Scotland - See Change of Gender on Scottish NHS Systems (FOI Request) for details of how this is processed.
Further Guidance
- Best practice guidelines, endorsed by 13 separate organisations, have been published covering all areas of assessment and treatment of trans people in the UK. This guide forms part of NHS England policy but should be taken into account throughout the UK - Good practice guidelines for the assessment and treatment of adults with gender dysphoria
- NHS England produced guidance for GPs encouraging them to prescribe HRT when requested by a GIC - Primary Care responsibilities in relation to the prescribing and monitoring of hormone therapy for patients undergoing or having undergone Gender dysphoria treatments
- The English GICs produced a guide for GPs and other healthcare staff explaining GIC services - Gender dysphoria services: a guide for General Practitioners and other healthcare staff
Future Policy
There is currently a review being done of Gender Identity Services in England. A preliminary report on the review so far and the recommendations being made were presented Gender Identity Services Review Presentation from Trans Health Matters 2014 Conference.
