Medicines safety and resources - Prescribing of GiC medications

Subject: Gender Identity Care and Prescribing at Woodbridge Hill Surgery

Dear Patient,

At Woodbridge Hill Surgery, we are committed to providing respectful, inclusive, and holistic care to all members of our community. We understand that some patients may seek support related to gender identity, including access to hormone therapy.

Currently, our practice does not initiate or manage prescriptions for gender-affirming hormone treatments- except in exceptional cases. This decision has been taken following careful consideration and is based on the following factors:

  • Specialist Assessment Required: The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) advises that gender-affirming treatments should be initiated by specialist services that are trained and equipped to carry out comprehensive assessments and provide individualised care plans.

  • Shared Care Agreements: While some GPs may continue prescriptions under shared care arrangements with NHS Gender Identity Clinics (GICs), initiating such treatments without specialist input is beyond the remit of general practice.

  • Legal and Safety Considerations: Prescribing hormone therapy without appropriate specialist guidance may carry legal and clinical risks, as highlighted by the General Medical Council (GMC). Patient safety remains our utmost priority.

  • Funding and Resource Constraints: Like many practices across the NHS, Woodbridge Hill Surgery is operating under significant workload pressures. The monitoring, follow-up, and clinical responsibility involved in prescribing and managing gender-affirming treatments require dedicated time, training, and funding — none of which are currently resourced at practice level. As such, we are not in a position to provide this service safely or sustainably.

We recognise that the national wait times for specialist gender identity services can be long, and this may be frustrating. However, to ensure your safety and access to appropriate care, we recommend the following:

  1. Referral to a Gender Identity Clinic: We are happy to support you by referring you to an NHS Gender Identity Clinic for specialist assessment and long-term care planning.

  2. General Health and Wellbeing: While awaiting specialist input, we remain available to support your general physical and mental health needs and to signpost appropriate services where relevant.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please speak to a member of our team.

Sincerely,

Woodbridge Hill Surgery

Published on 13 June 2025