We encourage patients to wait until they have been assessed by a gender specialist before starting treatment because gender affirming hormone therapy has irreversible effects such as deepening of the voice and balding (testosterone) and breast enlargement (estradiol).

In certain circumstances a GP can opt to provide bridging prescriptions.

• Guidance on when it is appropriate to prescribe is available from the General Medical Council.
• Up-to-date with the relevant laws, professional guidance and contractual requirements in relation to the care and treatment of transgender patients is available at The MDDUS website.  
• Guidance on what to prescribe and how to monitor treatment is available in the endocrine guidelines of the National Gender Identity Clinical Network for Scotland.