Spotlight on the Trans and Non-Binary community
Download (PDF 706.4 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Kent wanted to hear more about the trans and non-binary community and offered to analyse the feedback to a survey undertaken by the sexual health service at Kent Community Health Foundation Trust in 2019. They also spoke to other people from the Trans and Non-Binary Advisory Group at Kent Community Health Foundation Trust. Altogether they spoke to 92 people.
People reported that they felt their GP had not listened to them or understood them. Some experienced difficulties in getting their name, gender and pronouns changed on their NHS record.
People had to wait for a long time to be seen by the Gender Identity Clinic, for hormone treatment and hair removal. In some cases there were delays in getting the referral paperwork completed. The impact of long waiting times included poor mental health and wellbeing.
People felt that the support provided by Gender Identity Clinics stopped before gender confirmation surgery. They wanted the support to be ongoing.
People had to travel long distances out of Kent and Medway to access services that are not available locally. There is a lack of locally commissioned support services for trans and non-binary people, their parents and carers, and the partners of trans and non-binary people. There is also not enough provision for specialist counselling services for trans and non-binary people in Kent & Medway. Non binary people mentioned that they weren’t sure how to access surgery. Whilst staff can be great, trans and non-binary people felt that general education was needed.
The report contains five recommendations, including a commitment within the Primary Care Network to support trans and non-binary people and their healthcare needs, improved support for people waiting for an appointment with the Gender Identity Clinic and the CCG to consider establishing local Gender Identity Clinic services.