Less than a third of GPs are satisfied with their training on trans healthcare

"Published by TransActual on Thursday (25 September), the study, believed to be the largest of its kind, found that over half of trans people in the UK have experienced transphobia in a medical setting, with the overwhelming majority blaming a healthcare professionals' lack of knowledge on trans healthcare. Despite this, 67 per cent of the GPs surveyed by TransActual said they were confident in their ability to assess and interact with trans patients."

"Over the past year, several GPs in the UK have begun denying trans adults hormone replacement therapy (HRT) prescriptions, with many citing a "lack of support" or "lack of expertise" for the move. PinkNews has seen letters issued to trans patients from GPs in London, Sheffield, Nottingham, and more abruptly cutting their prescriptions without warning, despite the same GPs continuing to prescribe HRT to cisgender patients."

"A report published in October 2024 suggests that at least 215 people had been refused hormones at the time. 56 of them had received a recommendation from an NHS gender clinic, which can take years to acquire. TransActual's report found that NHS GPs often had to proactively seek out training on trans healthcare, with many even paying for it out of their own pocket."

Less than a quarter of GPs feel they have adequate training to provide trans healthcare. Fewer than a third of GPs are satisfied with training received on prescribing hormones to trans people. Over half of trans people in the UK have experienced transphobia in medical settings, with the majority attributing incidents to healthcare professionals' lack of knowledge on trans healthcare. Sixty-seven percent of surveyed GPs report confidence in assessing and interacting with trans patients. Several GPs have begun denying trans adults HRT prescriptions, sometimes abruptly cutting prescriptions while continuing HRT for cisgender patients. Many NHS GPs seek and pay for trans healthcare training themselves.

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