In certain countries and clinics, a surgery referral letter is necessary to access various surgical procedures, including gender-affirming surgeries. This is a standard requirement in the UK.
At GenderGP, we offer members and non-members the opportunity to obtain a surgery referral letter as an outcome of our surgery referral session (£185). The session takes 45 minutes and the professional you speak with will ask you questions about your medical history and preferences to determine whether a referral is appropriate. Who Writes and Signs Your Letter?
The expert you consult will take full responsibility for signing your referral letter. This individual has been chosen based on the rigorous standards of GenderGP and is included in the Directory. They will be appropriately registered with their local professional organization, such as a psychology or medical association, and will hold membership in WPATH, recognized as the leading authority in transgender healthcare.
You and the surgeon will have the ability to reach out to the professional directly if you require any help or further information.
UK-based Members Don't Need a UK-registered Professional as a Signatory
As long as the professional is registered with the appropriate professional organization and is a member of WPATH, you can verify their essential credentials. If you're looking for gender-affirming surgery at a private clinic, the professional's nationality shouldn't hinder your access to quality care.
Each clinic has its own set of policies, so if you run into any challenges, reach out to the professional you consulted to see if they can assist in resolving the matter. Our professionals are highly skilled and dedicated to helping you. Additionally, keep in mind that there are many other excellent clinics and surgeons throughout the UK, Europe, and around the world who can provide their services.
Some Clinics Require Two Separate Referrals
In some cases, clinics and specific procedures might ask you to get two distinct referrals from different specialists. It's a good idea to verify this with your selected clinic or surgeon, so you can request recommendations during your appointment if needed.
What Happens If a Clinic Refuses Your Letter
We understand your frustration and are here to help. It is important to clarify a few aspects of this situation:
When choosing a private clinic for your gender-affirming surgery, you are trusting both the clinic and our providers with this significant decision. Each clinic will have its own criteria for accepting a referral letter (and for determining patient eligibility for surgery), so it’s important to double-check all of their requirements.
For private services, a letter provided by our professionals should generally be accepted, as they are registered with their local professional associations and are WPATH members, which is the gold standard for transgender health.
However, there are situations beyond the control of GenderGP or our providers. If you encounter any difficulties, try to understand why your chosen clinic is not advancing with your surgery request. Contact the provider you had the session with directly and ask for their guidance; they are ready to assist you in the best possible way. Remember, it may sometimes be a matter of choosing another surgeon who can offer an even better experience and outcome. So, continue your research and let us know how we can assist you further.
As for refunds for the session, when booking a surgery referral session, ensure you provide all the necessary information the professional will need to assist you, including for writing your referral letter, if applicable. Please note that we cannot issue a refund once the session has been completed.