Trans-specific healthcare on the NHS is provided by a Gender Identity Clinic (GIC). You can find a list of the UK's GICs on the NHS website, "How to find an NHS Gender Dysphoria Clinic." How to find a Gender Identity Clinic

Getting on the NHS waitlist is long and can be one of the biggest and scariest steps with transitioning. Waiting lists are estimated to be over 4 years as of November 2022. You can find a specific NHS clinic's wait times on their website.

• Book an appointment with your GP
• Discuss your feelings about transitioning and what you want to achieve by going to your GP about it. They may ask you lots of questions. 3. Your GP will likely ask you to take a blood test before referring you to a GIC.
• After your GP has collected all the information needed to make a referral, they may refer you to one of (mentioned about) Gender Identity Clinics. Your GP may ask you which GIC you wish to be referred to. You can request to be referred to a specific GIC. It's recommended you go to a GIC you see yourself being closest to in the next 4 years.

Private clinics are also available which have much shorted waits associated with them, and cost young varying amounts of money depending on the clinic and the specific treatment you’re seeking.

Although it can be tempting to buy hormones for transition online without a prescription, there are risks associated with self-medicating. This is because taking hormones without being monitored properly by a doctor can cause the body serious harm. Many hormones are illegal to possess or sell without a prescription, especially unprescribed testosterone, which is a Class C illegal drug. On top of this hormones bought illegally are usually more expensive and may be of a lower quality than prescription medication.

If you're struggling financially, the University may be able to help with some of your financial costs. Visit Student Learning Fund or you can book an appointment with the Advice Centre to discuss where you could find financial support

Private Clinics can be extremely difficult to find and require lots of research. 

There is no right or wrong way to be/look as a Trans person. If you wanted to tuck or bind then we’ve pulled together some tips below, but remember there should be no pressure to appear in a certain way and you don’t need to go through physical transition to be protected under the Equality Act.

Tips for tucking safely

• If you use tape to tuck, only use skin-safe athletic tape. other tapes can severely damage your genitals.
• If you experience skin irritation or pain, take a break from or stop tucking.
• Don’t force or pull down too hard on any part of your body.
• Don’t tuck every day or for too long, even if you’re not experiencing pain.
• Don’t sleep while tucking.

Tips for binding safely

• Use a proper binder from a reputable source. Poorly made binders or things not designed to bind can damage your rbis.
• Avoid binders with zips at the sides
• Never bind with bandages or duct tape
• If it hurts, take a break from or stop binding
• Don’t bind for too long – the typical length of time people recommend if under 8 hours.
• Don’t exercise in a binder(or exercise in one size bigger than you would ordinarily wear)
• Never sleep while wearing a binder
• "TransTape" is also used by trans people to bind and has the same rules as binding - except you can shower, sleep, and exercise with trans tape on.

Facilities

You are legally allowed to use whichever bathroom or changing room best fits your gender identity, no matter what point you're at in transition. However, we know that isn't always comfortable for trans people, especially those who are recently out or worried that they don't 'pass'. For that reason, we are campaigning for at least one gender-neutral toilet in every new building and renovations to eventually put one in every building across campus.

A real-time map of gender-neutral bathrooms in the University and around Huddersfield can be accessed on the SU website at:

Gender Neutral Toilets Map

Sports and Societies

Extracurricular activities are a huge part of student experience. As part of committee training, all student run societies are offered equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training that pushes for them to be an inclusive and welcoming space. Trans participation in some sports clubs is limited, however, because of restrictions from their governing bodies surrounding single gender competition. This depends on medical transition status - generally, your hormone levels have to be in the same range as cisgender competitions of the same gender. You should still be able to join non-competitively in all sports and both competitively and non-­ competitively in any mixed gender sports, regardless of transition.

Doctors and Medical Care

There is an on-campus GP surgery. The doctors here can make referrals to help you access a Gender Identity Clinic if you haven't already. Currently, you can only be registered at one GP surgery, so you will have to stop being a patient at your home GP in order to be seen here.

You have the right to still access specific and appropriate sexual and reproductive healthcare without being misgendered, although you may have to ask for things specifically and chase them up as many NHS systems will not send reminders or correct information if your listed gender doesn't match the gender who would normally need certain tests or procedures.