19.12.16
New provider found for gender identity clinic
A new trust will take over the Charing Cross West London Gender Identity clinic from 1 April 2017, NHS England has revealed.
West London Mental Health Trust announced in August that it would end its contract to operate the clinic, one of just seven in the country providing services for transgender people.
It has now been announced that Tavistock and Portman NHS FT, which already provides England’s only NHS-run clinic for transgender children and young people, will take over the clinic for one year on an interim basis.
Will Huxter, chair of the NHS England gender task & finish group and regional director of specialised commissioning for London, said: “Tavistock and Portman’s depth of experience and successful track record in gender identity services for children and young people, linked to the team from the West London adult Gender Identity Clinic, means patients from London and beyond will continue to receive an expert service.”
He added that the new operator would “build on the existing service using a holistic and considered approach”, including seeking to reduce waiting times.
The transfer of services will take place over two to three months, with no disruption to existing patients’ treatment. NHS England will then carry out a national procurement exercise to confirm provision of adult gender identity services in the long term.
Paul Jenkins, CEO of Tavistock and Portman, said: “Our focus is on taking over the service with minimum disruption, combining our expertise with the knowledge and skill of the current Adult Gender Clinic staff.
“We’re heartened by the positivity and openness of the team and we look forward to working together to provide the best possible outcomes for service users.”
James Barrett, consultant in adult gender dysphoria medicine and lead clinician at West London Mental Health Trust, added that the team was “delighted with this outcome”.
“We look forward to strengthening our existing professional relationship with the Tavistock & Portman and are excited about the potential for sharing of our respective strengths, skills and combined experience working with trans and non-binary people,” he said.
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