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
- Provide (or consider providing) a bridging prescription for HRT while awaiting GIC assessment.
- Advise what steps are required to proceed safely (e.g. baseline blood tests, ongoing monitoring plan).
- 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.