Moving GP surgeries while on medication

Your rights when you are changing GP practices, when you are already on medication

Changing GP practices is your right, and you don’t need to give a reason. This includes changing to a new GP (or refusing to be seen by a specific GP) within the same practice or moving to a completely new one. This information pertains to the latter: you have decided to change your GP surgery completely. 

If you’re receiving gender-affirming care through an NHS GP and then move to a new practice, here’s what you can expect and what your rights are.

Continuity of care: What should happen

1. Existing prescribing and Shared Care Arrangements

If your previous GP was prescribing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) under a shared-care agreement (for more information, see Shared Care Agreements) with a specialist Gender Dysphoria Clinic (GDC) or private provider, the new practice should be able to establish a similar arrangement without requiring you to start the process all over again.

The GMC’s guidance emphasises that new GPs should seek to re-establish shared care rather than re-refer you to a GDC as though you are a new patient.

2. Transfer of medical records

Your new GP must ensure continuity of care by transferring relevant medical records, including any necessary adjustments or communication preferences. This includes:

• Sharing who is responsible for each aspect of your care.
• Providing details of the lead clinician or team.
• Confirming that your ongoing prescribing and monitoring can continue seamlessly.

What you can do

1. Contact the new GP practice ahead of your move

Contact your new GP practice before your move to check whether they will continue your shared-care arrangement. Experiences vary – GPs are not obligated to continue shared care, especially from private clinics. You may need to advocate for yourself if they do not have experience supporting trans+ patients before.

2. Provide details on your previous care

Provide your repeat prescription slips or a summary care record from your old surgery alongside any GDC and/or specialist letters that support the prescription. This may help demonstrate that the medication was prescribed for a valid, ongoing condition.

3. Advocate for yourself

You have both rights and options to ensure your care continues as needed. Under the Equality Act 2010, you are protected from discrimination based on ‘gender reassignment’ from the moment you begin social transition, even before any medical or legal transition. GPs do have a professional discretion, but this must be applied lawfully. They must justify their decision based on rational clinical reasons. You are entitled to understand their clinical reasons.

If you disagree with the reasons, you can, in the first instance, seek a second opinion and escalate if necessary. This is typically done by first complaining to the GP surgery and then to your local Integrated Care Board.

Following that, if the practice does not remedy the situation to your satisfaction, you may refer a complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. The steps for following this process are detailed below.

If they agree to continue care:

4. Confirm your records have been transferred correctly.

Some people have reported missing important medical history after transferring, including vaccination records or monitoring data.

5. If applicable, verify that your chosen name and gender marker are accurate

In both local records and the NHS system, and understand how this affects preventative screening invitations.

6. Document everything

Keep records of conversations, letters, and care arrangements.

Keeping records of your consultations with your GP

If you speak to the GP on the phone or in person, consider recording the conversation, as there will be a lot to remember. You may also have a friend accompany you to take notes.

You can inform your GP that you will be recording the call/visit if you want, for your records. They cannot use this as a justification to stop the call/visit or discharge you from their service.

You do not, however, need their permission to record. As noted by the Medical Defence Union, it’s your personal information, so GDPR doesn’t apply. Recordings (even if made secretly) can generally be used as evidence when dealing with these kinds of issues, either to show wrongdoing or to support your case.

What you can do if your GP continues to refuse ongoing care

Unfortunately, this situation happens more often than people expect when moving to a new GP surgery.

A new GP is not legally obliged to continue any prescription just because your previous GP issued it, but you do have rights and straightforward steps you can take if you disagree with their decision. Here’s how you can challenge it.

1. Understand why the GP refused

Sometimes it’s due to clinical judgement, safety concerns, interactions, or monitoring requirements. At other times, it’s about practice policy; certain medications are only prescribed under a specialist’s care, or the practice may have a global refusal to support trans healthcare.

Ask the GP to explain their reasons clearly, in writing, with reference to any policy, guidance, rule or standard they seek to rely on.

You can also request a copy of your medical record, which should detail the GP’s reasoning.

2. Request a second opinion

You are entitled to request a second opinion from another GP within the practice. Some surgeries allow you to book directly with a different GP if you’re unhappy with the first decision.

You should be clear why you disagree with the first decision. Remember, the second GP will be able to access your medical history and records.

3. Involve a specialist

If a GDC clinician initially recommended the medication, refer to this, along with copies of any correspondence you may have. You can ask your GP to liaise directly with the clinician to discuss your case.

Specialist input often carries significant weight and may override a GP’s hesitation. Any further decision made should be documented in writing, and you can request a copy.

4. Follow the NHS complaints process

Things to know:

• Everyone who provides an NHS service in England must have their own complaints procedure in place.
• You can informally raise a concern with the GP practice manager first; they may be able to resolve the issue quickly.
• If unresolved, you can make a formal complaint to the GP surgery under the NHS complaints procedure. All healthcare providers have a complaint policy in place. You should request a copy and specific details on how to file a complaint, with confirmation of the timescales they will work to.
• If still unsatisfied, you are entitled to escalate matters to your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) (England). Find your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) using the NHS directory.

If you are unsatisfied with the response to your formal complaint, you can contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). The PHSO is an independent complaint-handling service for complaints that the NHS has not resolved in England. Note: the PHSO does not deal with complaints involving the private sector.

For help and support in making a complaint, you can contact the Patients Association Helpline, which covers all of health and social care.

5. Seek legal advice

Many law firms have regulatory, equality law, and medical experts who can consider your set of facts and determine whether you could successfully challenge the decision.

Remember that there are deadlines you must meet if you wish to challenge a decision via a formal, legal route. You should therefore not delay seeking an initial steer on whether there is merit in pursuing a legal challenge promptly to protect yourself on a ‘limitation’ front.

6. Consider medication continuity options

You can request that your GP provide a bridging prescription while the matter is reviewed, to avoid abrupt withdrawal.

Alternatively, you could check whether a private prescription is possible temporarily (you’d have to pay, but it ensures continuity).

7. Look for another GP

Some GPs are more knowledgeable and supportive of trans healthcare. This resource from Trans Healthcare Intelligence lists trans-friendly GPs based on real patient experiences.

If you’re in a rural area with fewer local options, consider an LGBTQ-inclusive online UK GMC-registered GP service.

If you’ve completed all these steps without success, please get in touch with us at community@anne.health.

Using our sample letter templates

These sample letter templates have been reviewed by solicitors at Russell-Cooke LLP prior to publication. Notes on using these templates:

• Always keep a copy of all messages for your records.
• Ensure that you read and review the template, making any necessary amendments to reflect your personal circumstances accurately. This is your letter, not ours, and it is important that you are confident with the contents.
• Check that all changes have been made, all addresses and names are included, and that no brackets remain before sending the template.
• Try to include all relevant supporting documents before sending.