Information provision for young people referred to the Northern (UK) Endocrine Transgender Clinic

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals Northern Gender Identity Development Clinic is a supra regional centre for young people with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. The service is jointly run with the Tavistock and Portman NHS... [ view full abstract ]

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals Northern Gender Identity Development Clinic is a supra regional centre for young people with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. The service is jointly run with the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation (Tavi Team)and University College London Hospital NHS foundation Trust We provide a highly specialised service for young people (up to 18 years of age) who are experiencing gender dysphoria and who have major concern about their physical development through puberty.
Since 2009 referral rates have increased 50% year on year with a 100% increase in 2016. Following a significant increase in referrals to the service and the waiting list pressures, we felt that the model of practice did not meet the needs of the young people and their families. Furthermore, due to the physical interventions offered by the service and the physical changes these bring to the body; it was felt a strong public health approach was required in order for the young people to be able to make informed decisions about their care. The original model of practice involved an initial 40 minute appointment with a paediatric endocrinologist followed by a two month nurse led telephone consultation review prior to commencing any medical treatment.

The aim was to change the original model of practice in order to provide a better quality of care through a strategic public health approach. The overall objective was to implement and evaluate a new model where the clinical... [ view full abstract ]

The aim was to change the original model of practice in order to provide a better quality of care through a strategic public health approach. The overall objective was to implement and evaluate a new model where the clinical nurse specialists ran an education session alongside some clinical tests as the initial appointment, followed by a two month review with a paediatric endocrinologist. Nurse led information sessions prior to clinic appointments have been implemented at the London clinic and were positively evaluated. In order to implement change the PDSA change model alongside utilising Lewin’s (1951) theory were utilised.

The nurse led education session provides both the young person and their families’ important information on what our service can offer, options for treatment, fertility preservation, reasons for smoking cessation, bone... [ view full abstract ]

The nurse led education session provides both the young person and their families’ important information on what our service can offer, options for treatment, fertility preservation, reasons for smoking cessation, bone health, sexual health and vitamin D supplementation. It is run jointly with a member of the Tavi team as a group session with an opportunity for questions and answers. We have produced an extensive information pack which is provided for the young people to take away.

Evaluation questionnaires to the family and young person [ view full abstract ]

Evaluation questionnaires to the family and young person

Early evaluation results show the new pathway of care is being evaluated as excellent [ view full abstract ]

Early evaluation results show the new pathway of care is being evaluated as excellent

It is anticipated that the nurse led education session will support young people to make better informed decisions. Preliminary findings from the evaluation process will be available for the poster. [ view full abstract ]

It is anticipated that the nurse led education session will support young people to make better informed decisions. Preliminary findings from the evaluation process will be available for the poster.