Experiences of trans and non-binary people accessing GP care

Report - 8 August 2025

Healthwatch England have published a report highlighting the barriers faced by trans and non-binary people when accessing GP services. We assisted in this piece of research and highlighted the experiences of trans and non-binary people.

Summary

Healthwatch England has published a long-awaited report on Trans and Non-binary people's experiences of GP care.

The self-selecting survey of nearly 1,400 trans and non-binary adults highlights that only 53% rate their GP practice as good for general care.

Key findings

  • 28% (of 565 respondents) said they had lost access to their previous NHS record, 16% had experienced disrupted prescriptions, and 18% were misgendered in NHS written communications.
  • Only just over half (53%) of people answering our survey rated their GP as good or very good for the general care services1 they had sought.
  • Those who have received good care told us about healthcare professionals treating them with respect and compassion. 

Working together

This research was conducted by Healthwatch England. Healthwatch Dudley, along with 10 other local Healthwatch, were commissioned to support in engaging with people from the trans and non-binary communities.

We worked closely with the What? Centre to speak to service users who identify as trans or non-binary.

We would like to thank the What? Centre for their hard work in supporting this piece of research and for continuing to advocate for people in the LGBTQ+ community in Dudley borough.

Downloads

If you need the reports in a different format, please email hello@healthwatchdudley.co.uk or call 03000 111 001.

File download
What trans and nonbinary people told us about GP care
Download (PDF 664 KB)

“I have a serious, poorly understood, complex chronic illness. Since the surgery forcibly changed my gender marker, half my medical records have gone missing, and the other half are unlabelled and undated, so effectively useless. I had heard that this might happen, hence not requesting my gender marker to be changed.”

Survey respondent

The What? Centre

The What? Centre provides holistic mental health and well-being support to all young people in the Borough between 9 to 25 years old.

There is a range of support available for different ages that can be accessed via self-referral or through a referral by a professional/parent.

They also run adult provision for anyone 18 years and over via their BeeHIVe project.

Find out more here

Take five minutes to share your experiences

NHS and social care staff are doing everything they can to keep us well during these challenging times, but there might be things that can be improved for you and your loved ones, both in the area you live in and across the country.

Have your say

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