Post by Ayla on Feb 4, 2016 9:00:04 GMT 8
AN ONLINE guide for GPs has been launched to help them support transgender patients.
The new service in Brighton and Hove is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
Its introduction follows a recent Parliamentary inquiry into Transgender Equality in the UK which found trans people encounter significant problems in using general NHS services.
This was due to the attitude of some clinicians and other staff when providing care, which was down to lack of knowledge and understanding.
The inquiry found GPs in particular were unaware of their own role to play, particularly in prescribing hormone treatment.
The guide has been developed by Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) with input from transgender people in the city.
According to estimates, at least 2,760 trans people live in Brighton and Hove, with many more coming to the city to study and work.
Last year, Brighton and Hove City Council published the results of the city's first ever trans needs assessment.
The report revealed just one in five trans people said they were in good health compared with four out of five in the wider population.
Four in five had also experienced depression and one in three had self-harmed in the last five years.
The assessment also identified that improvements could be made to trans people's experience of health services, including local GP and specialist services, and that long waiting times for gender identity services had a detrimental impact on the lives of those affected.
The experience of approaching a GP for advice and support can be daunting for many transgender people .
One patient said the guide would help GPs offer a competent, supportive service.
The patient, named only as Michael, said: “So often we can find ourselves passed from pillar to post, having to educate those responsible for our care.
"I hope that this guide can help to relieve that burden – promoting a better standard of understanding, a better standard of communication and a better standard of care for everyone.”
CCG clinical lead for primary care and public health, Katie Stead, said: “Although there are many good examples of excellent primary care for our trans population, there is also a lack of education and information for GPs available both nationally and locally.
“We hope it goes some way in plugging this gap locally and will give GPs the confidence to work with trans patients to provide great care.”
www.theargus.co.uk/news/14249312.Online_service_launched_to_help_GPs_support_transgender_community/
The new service in Brighton and Hove is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
Its introduction follows a recent Parliamentary inquiry into Transgender Equality in the UK which found trans people encounter significant problems in using general NHS services.
This was due to the attitude of some clinicians and other staff when providing care, which was down to lack of knowledge and understanding.
The inquiry found GPs in particular were unaware of their own role to play, particularly in prescribing hormone treatment.
The guide has been developed by Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) with input from transgender people in the city.
According to estimates, at least 2,760 trans people live in Brighton and Hove, with many more coming to the city to study and work.
Last year, Brighton and Hove City Council published the results of the city's first ever trans needs assessment.
The report revealed just one in five trans people said they were in good health compared with four out of five in the wider population.
Four in five had also experienced depression and one in three had self-harmed in the last five years.
The assessment also identified that improvements could be made to trans people's experience of health services, including local GP and specialist services, and that long waiting times for gender identity services had a detrimental impact on the lives of those affected.
The experience of approaching a GP for advice and support can be daunting for many transgender people .
One patient said the guide would help GPs offer a competent, supportive service.
The patient, named only as Michael, said: “So often we can find ourselves passed from pillar to post, having to educate those responsible for our care.
"I hope that this guide can help to relieve that burden – promoting a better standard of understanding, a better standard of communication and a better standard of care for everyone.”
CCG clinical lead for primary care and public health, Katie Stead, said: “Although there are many good examples of excellent primary care for our trans population, there is also a lack of education and information for GPs available both nationally and locally.
“We hope it goes some way in plugging this gap locally and will give GPs the confidence to work with trans patients to provide great care.”
www.theargus.co.uk/news/14249312.Online_service_launched_to_help_GPs_support_transgender_community/