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What to expect when you sign up for a membership
We know that choosing a new gender-affirming care provider can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why we created this guide so you know what to expect.
Joining Anne Health is quick and easy.
First, you’ll be taken to a payment page to pay the £200 joining fee. Once you’ve paid the joining fee, you’ll be asked to complete an intake form.
Set aside some time to complete your form and have your documents ready. You’ll need:
We’ll also ask about your gender and medical history, and an emergency contact.
If you’re signing up for a child, we’ll need their photo ID. If they don’t have one yet, please contact us before signing up.
If you have any questions, our friendly admin team is always here to help.
Next, set up your monthly direct debit.
Your membership is billed one month in advance. This means:
Once that’s done and we’ve checked your details, you’ll receive a confirmation email.
Once we’ve reviewed your information, you’ll get a link to book your initial intake session.
This is a calm, supportive conversation to understand you, your goals, and what care feels right for you. It also ensures you have the information you need to give informed consent.
These sessions are run by counsellors experienced in supporting the LGBTQ+ community, though it’s important to note they are not counselling sessions. Learn more about what an intake session involves.
Most people have one or two intake sessions (sometimes more, depending on your situation) before moving forward with care. All sessions take place online by video call.
Everyone joining Anne Health needs an initial blood test. You can choose the option that works best for you:
Once your results are ready, a clinician will review them and invite you to book your intake medical session.
This is a chance to talk through your experience with hormone therapy so far, or explore your options if you’re just getting started.
Afterwards, your clinician will create a care plan and, where appropriate, prescribe medication in line with your goals.
Depending on the type of medication, you can either:
Please note that medication costs aren’t included in your membership fee, as they’re supplied externally. You may also need items like needles or a sharps bin, but we’ll guide you through this when needed.
Once your intake process and prescription are complete, your regular care begins.
We’ll check in every three to four months to see how you’re getting on, renew your prescriptions, and plan any follow-up appointments or blood tests.
You don’t need to wait for a check-in. Our team is always here if you need support.
To keep your care safe and effective, we ask you to have a new blood test every 3 to 4 months. This helps us see whether any adjustments are needed or if anything else is going on. Once your results are ready, you can book a follow-up appointment with the clinical team.
During your first year, we’ll ask you to book a wellbeing check-in with a counsellor every four months. After that time, these sessions are completely optional.
If you’d like more support, you can book additional counselling sessions at a reduced member rate.
For under 18s, wellbeing check-ins are a core part of care. After turning 18 and completing your first year, they become optional.
View some of the most asked questions, or search below for a question you might have.
Or you can easily speak to us using one of the options below between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, or send us an email and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Most Anne Health appointments take place online by video call. This includes your therapeutic intake, medical consultations, and counselling sessions. You can join from wherever feels safe and comfortable for you.
Some parts of your care need to happen in person. Blood tests, for example, can be done in a way that works best for you. Either through your GP, at a clinic, or at home using a mobile phlebotomy service.
There are a few ways to arrange your blood tests, so you can choose the option that works best for you.
Through your GP
If you’d prefer to use your GP, we’ll send you everything you and your GP need, based on the recommendations of your independent prescriber.
At a trusted clinic
If you’d rather visit a clinic, we’ll arrange your referral and email you simple instructions for booking your appointment. Once your blood test is complete, the laboratory will send your results to your independent prescriber for review.
Clinic blood tests are included in your monthly membership.
At home
If you’d prefer a blood test at home, we’ll send you instructions for booking with a mobile blood testing service. A trained phlebotomist will visit you to take your sample before it’s sent to the laboratory. Your results will then be shared with your independent prescriber for review.
Please note that if there’s a clinic near you, choosing the at-home service instead may come with an extra cost.
Whichever option you choose, we’ll guide you through it and make sure everything is straightforward.
We’ll connect you with an independent prescriber who can issue any prescriptions you need as part of your membership.
You’ll only need to pay for your medication separately. The cost will depend on what you’re prescribed, your dose and the pharmacy you use.
For more information, visit our Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) page.
The care we facilitate is based on informed consent, but there’s still a process to follow.
All members go through an intake process. This helps to ensure hormone therapy is the right next step for you and that you understand what it involves.
If an independent prescriber decides that hormone therapy is appropriate for you, you’ll receive a digital prescription that you can take to your local pharmacy.
If you’re over 18, we can also help you arrange home delivery through a UK pharmacy.
If you’re under 18 and accessing puberty blockers through the legal route, we’ll guide you through the process and provide the information you need to understand the available pathway.
The intake process can take up to 12 weeks to complete, although this can vary from person to person.
This is because everyone’s situation is different. The timeline can depend on things like your age, where you are on your gender journey, what kind of support you’re looking for, whether you’ve had hormone therapy before, and the type of gender-affirming care support you need.
It can also vary based on how many intake sessions are recommended, your availability for appointments, and how you choose to arrange your blood tests.
We tailor the process to you, so you get the right level of support at the right pace.
For more detailed information, see our guide to joining Anne Health.
Yes. Experienced independent counsellors working with Anne Health can prepare surgery referral letters for both members and non-members.
Please note that each surgeon or surgical provider has their own referral requirements, so we can’t guarantee that every letter will be accepted. We recommend checking with your chosen surgeon before arranging your appointment.
Yes. If you’re under 18, there must be consent from at least one parent or legal guardian before we can facilitate access to care. That parent or guardian must join some of the appointments to ensure you’re supported and safe throughout your care.
Take the first step with Anne Health.
We’re here to guide and support you with inclusive, gender-affirming care built around you.