RCGP sets out role of GPs in transgender care

Posed by models. Credit: sturti

By Olivia Bowthorpe

The Royal College of General Practitioners has released a position statement on transgender care, outlining the role of GPs and the limits of their responsibilities.

While some GPs may choose to develop additional expertise in this area, the college states that the majority of GPs should not be expected to prescribe puberty blockers or "bridging prescriptions" for patients on waiting lists.¹

"General practice plays a vital role in ensuring these patients receive the care they need," it states. "GPs are expected to approach the holistic care of transgender people, those experiencing gender incongruence and/or questioning their gender identity as they do with every patient - openly, respectfully, sensitively and without bias."

GPs should take into account a person’s presentation of gender incongruence "alongside an individual’s physical, psychological and social health status within the broader environment, and appropriate primary care related to gender incongruence," it adds.

For some patients this may include prescribing non-oestrogen hormonal contraception to prevent distressing periods, it states, and to work with specialist gender identity services in the same way as with any other specialist service.