HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Gender-affirming health care
Tiakitanga hauora whakatūturu i te ira
The journey to affirm your gender identity is different for everyone. There is no right or wrong way.
Some transgender and gender diverse people make changes to their bodies, often to reduce gender dysphoria. Possible changes include social, medical and surgical changes. The changes are often referred to as transition or gender-affirming health care.
Gender-affirming health care respects a person’s unique sense of gender. It identifies and helps you with your gender healthcare goals.
Gender-affirming health care can include puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender affirming surgery. It may include support with exploring gender expression and transition. It may also involve supporting whānau (family) and caregivers.
If you want to access gender-affirming health care, the best place to start is to talk to your general practice team. Young people between 10 and 24 can also talk to Te Tahi Youth.
It's OK to ask if your general practice team has experience working with gender identity and gender diversity issues. You can talk confidentially to the practice nurse or practice manager about this before enrolling with a general practice.
You can also contact peer support groups to ask for recommendations of health professionals with relevant experience. Qtopia offers a healthcare navigation service that can help you get enrolled with a general practice with experience around gender diversity. See Support networks for transgender & gender diverse people & their whānau.
When you visit a general practice team to talk about gender-affirming health care, you have the right to be treated with respect. You also have the right to be given information about what treatments and services are available.
It's a good idea to ask your general practice team to explain what the referral process for gender-affirming health care is like. The referral process may include:
- physical health checks
- a review of any pre-existing health conditions
- a review of your smoking status
- height, weight and blood pressure checks
- routine blood tests
- a referral for mental health assessment or support.
If you need a mental health assessment, you may need to see a psychologist or psychiatrist. Your general practice team can refer you to one. They can do this through the public or private health systems.
You're welcome to ask questions and bring a support person or advocate with you to appointments. You may need to make longer appointments or have several appointments. Talk to your general practice team if cost is a problem. It's possible that financial support may be available.
You have the right of confidentiality. Information about your gender identity cannot be given to anyone without your consent. You can ask to talk to your practice staff in a private space if you prefer.
If you’re a young person you can learn about your rights in Confidentiality (health privacy) for teens & young adults and Your rights.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Qtopia – Gender-affirming care
Information about how to navigate the health system to access gender-affirming care in Waitaha Canterbury.
- Rainbow rights in Aotearoa
Information about your legal rights related to being queer or gender diverse.
- Transgender Health Research Lab – Guidelines for gender affirming healthcare for gender diverse and transgender children, young people and adults in Aotearoa New Zealand
This guide is intended to support the development of health services providing gender-affirming health care around the country.
Written by Ko Awatea gender-affirming care co-design group. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed March 2023.
Sources
Review key: HISOG-53214
