Gender Identity Support & Shared Care Policy

 

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At West Walk Surgery, we’re committed to providing safe, respectful, and inclusive care for all.

We understand that accessing gender identity support can be challenging, and we want to help you navigate the pathways available.

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1. Supporting NHS-Initiated Shared Care

If you're already receiving treatment from an NHS gender identity clinic, we’re glad to continue your prescribing and monitoring in partnership with those trusted specialists.

 

2. Regarding Private Clinics & New Patients

For those who’ve started their treatment privately, or are seeking care through non-NHS providers, we’re currently unable to safely accept shared-care arrangements for gender-affirming medications. While we truly wish to help, there are a few reasons for this:

  • We can’t always be sure of the clinical oversight or safety standards maintained by some private providers.
  • These treatments are highly specialised and require coordinated management with NHS specialists - something we can’t always guarantee.
  • The medications in question aren’t included in our NHS formulary, which guides what GPs can safely prescribe.

We appreciate this might feel frustrating, however, it's important for us that any prescribing we do is based on robust NHS guidance and carried out safely.

 

3. What We Can Do to Help

  • If you'd like, we can refer you to an NHS gender identity clinic where appropriate specialists can assess and support you.
  • If you have previously been under NHS care but lost contact or were discharged, we can help reconnect you with the service you need.
  • You are always welcome to talk through your feelings, explore your options, or get support in other ways - especially for your mental health and emotional wellbeing.  If you would like to speak to our Mental Health Nurse, you can request an appointment through Klinik.
 

4. Additional Support Resources

A charity, Gendered Intelligence, offers guidance and support for patients navigating treatment pathways or waiting for appointments. Support Line | Gendered Intelligence

 

Why Is This Policy Important?

Our aim is to provide care that is safe, equitable, and fully supported by NHS systems. By maintaining these standards, we ensure that every patient gets the best possible pathway - backed by proper coordination, oversight, and continuity of care.