# Request for Bridging Prescription and Clarification of Gender-Affirming Care

Date: Monday 22 September 2025

Type: Letter

## Summary
- Letter to a GP requesting a **bridging prescription for HRT** while waiting for a first Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) appointment.
- Explains understanding of the NHS pathway and asks for interim, harm-reduction support with appropriate monitoring.

## Background
- The writer identifies as a trans woman and expects a long wait for a first GIC appointment.
- The writer requests interim GP support (bridging prescription) to reduce risk from unsupervised self-medication while awaiting specialist input.

## Details
### Letter text (verbatim)
Dear ,

Request for bridging prescription and clarification of gender-affirming care

I am writing to discuss my healthcare needs as a transwoman. I would like to outline my understanding of the NHS pathway for gender-affirming care, and to request your support in the interim.

I understand that the standard NHS process involves:
- Referral from a GP to a Gender Identity Clinic (GIC);
- An initial assessment at the GIC, after which a specialist recommendation may be provided for hormone treatment (HRT);
- Subsequent care, including surgery referrals, depending on individual circumstances.

I am aware that the waiting times for a first GIC appointment can be several years, which creates a significant gap in care. In the meantime, I would like to request a **bridging prescription for HRT**. My understanding is that bridging prescriptions are recognised within NHS and RCGP guidance as an interim, harm-reduction measure in situations where patients may otherwise self-medicate without medical supervision.

I would like to emphasise that:
- I am fully aware that a bridging prescription is a temporary measure until specialist input from the GIC is available;
- I consent to regular monitoring, including blood tests and health checks, to ensure treatment is safe;
- My intention is to follow the NHS pathway and attend GIC appointments once offered, but I wish to minimise risks to my health while awaiting specialist input. But I thinkI will have surgery (in Thailand) before the first appointment, but I need the prescription.

I would be grateful if we could discuss whether you would be able to provide this support, and what steps I should take (e.g. blood tests, baseline health checks) to move forward.

Thank you very much for your time and understanding.

Kind regards,

## Questions / Requests
1. Provide (or consider providing) a **bridging prescription for HRT** while awaiting GIC assessment.
2. Advise what steps are required to proceed safely (e.g. baseline blood tests, ongoing monitoring plan).
3. Clarify the intended pathway and how interim care can be supported in primary care.

## Notes
- Placeholders to fill before publishing (optional):
  - Add recipient name/GP practice details after “Dear”.
  - Add the sender name after “Kind regards”.
- The sentence about surgery abroad is included verbatim as provided; consider cleaning the spacing/typo (“But I think I…”) only if you want an edited (non-verbatim) version in a separate file.