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In the UK, people who are changing things linked to gender are supported by a set of specialist centres, often known as “gender identity clinics” (GICs), which offer formal diagnosis and access to other services like hormone medications and surgeries.
Free UK-based services
You can access these gender services for free on the NHS. However, these services have significant waiting lists, and may require a wait of several years before being seen. They will also only accept you as a patient if you are registered with a GP in a specific area.
You can find more information about waiting times - and which services will see you more quickly - on the TransActual website.
Northern Ireland residents only
Northern Ireland residents only
Wales GP only
Borders, Fife, or Lothian GP only
England GP only
Scotland GP only
Scotland GP only
Grampian, Orkney and Shetland GP only
Highland GP only
England GP only
UK GP only
Permanently closed
Very limited access: more info
England GP only
England GP only
England GP only
England GP only
UK GP only
UK GP only
We have instructions on how to access these NHS services on our Getting A Referral page.
NHS England pilot schemes
There are also a number of pilot schemes run by different organisations within NHS England. The purpose of these schemes is to explore a more holistic and comprehensive model of how gender clinics can function, with patient agency centred more in the process.
These clinics generally have a much shorter wait, but are only open to people who’ve already been referred to another clinic, and who meet particular requirements. Waits vary, usually depending on how long you’ve been on the waiting list for the other clinic.
Very limited access: more info
Very limited access: more info
East of England only
-
Paid UK-based services
There are also several private gender services which charge fees but which may have significantly shorter waiting lists. You may wish to use these services while on the waiting list for an NHS service. It can overwhelming trying to choose which gender service to be referred to, but you can find useful tips on how to choose on our Choosing a Gender Service page.
Note that while some services will see patients younger than 18 for an assessment, not all will offer hormone therapy. You may wish to contact services to find out if they are willing to prescribe to under 18s before paying money to a service.
Other services
Other services that may be of interest to people in the UK include:
56T at 56 Dean Street
56T is a holistic sexual health and wellbeing service for all trans/non-binary people, their partners and friends. 56T provide gender-based counselling and perform injections for hormones prescribed elsewhere.
Clinic T Trans Clinic
Clinic T is a sexual health service based in Brighton for anyone who identifies as trans, non-binary or gender variant (partners are welcome too). Clinic T can provide hormone levels testing and perform injections for hormones prescribed elsewhere, and also testing and treatment for STIS, help with bleeding control and contraception, cervical cytology, vaccination, social support and signposting to local partner support organisations.
GenderGP
International organisation providing services for trans patients of all ages including hormone prescribing and counselling
GenderHealthCare
Help, advice and support from registered health professionals with personal and professional experience of non-conforming gender identities. Provides services to people of all ages including offering specialist advice, administering injections, and taking blood samples.
Choosing a service
It can overwhelming trying to choose which gender service to be referred to. You can find useful tips on how to choose on our Choosing a Gender Service page.
Getting a referral
We have instructions on how to access these NHS services on our Getting A Referral page.
You do not need to be seen by a local mental health team to be referred to an adult gender service.
All the private gender services accept self-referral. However, it may be helpful to speak to your GP before self-referring to a private service, to find out if your GP will be able to support your treatment and if they are able to support you with blood tests and prescribing.
How much will it cost?
British citizens are able to access the NHS and HSC gender services for free. If you are not a British citizen, you may still be able to access these services for free, and more details can be found on the Immigration page.
Patients in Wales being referred to gender services for children and young people will need to ask their GP to apply for funding from their local Health Board.
If you're receiving certain benefits, or are on a low income, you may be able to get help with the cost of travel for NHS treatment. Further information about help with travel costs can be found:
- on the NHS website
- on the Welsh Government website
- on the NHS Scotland website
- on the Northern Ireland government website
More information about travel funding is also available on the London GIC website.
Costs for private services vary significantly, and you can find detailed information on costs on our Private fees page.
Where can I learn more?
There are official pages about finding a gender clinic available:
- for people in England on the NHS website
- for people in Scotland on the NGICNS website
Errors and omissions
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