How does Anne Health compare to Gender Plus?
Service Model: Anne Health vs Gender Plus
Both Anne Health and Gender Plus provide gender-affirming care through membership subscription models, incorporating an initial sign-up fee and monthly payments. Each service offers packages designed to cater to different needs, though their approaches vary in significant ways.
Service Delivery
Anne Health operates entirely online, offering remote healthcare and support to patients. This virtual telehealth model allows for accessibility regardless of geographic location. Gender Plus, by contrast, employs a hybrid model, requiring an initial in-person appointment at clinics in Dublin, Birmingham, or London, after which care can proceed remotely.
Age Range and Care Offered
Anne Health provides care for individuals of all ages, including trans youth under 16, offering puberty blockers and HRT through a ‘stage-not-age’ model. Gender Plus, however, restricts its care to individuals aged 16 and above.
Foundational Approach
Anne Health is founded on a progressive, informed-consent model that aims to reduce barriers to care, prioritising individual needs and compassionate, gender-affirming support. This model is delivered by experienced professionals, including endocrinologists, specialist nurses, and compassionate qualified counsellors who focus on patient autonomy and minimising unnecessary delays.
Gender Plus, on the other hand, builds on the expertise of clinicians, some of whom have previously worked within the Tavistock GIDS service. This background may inform their more traditional approach, which often involves comprehensive assessments before treatment is approved.
Organisational Structure
Anne Health is a non-profit organisation, reinvesting funds to support trans individuals who may otherwise face financial barriers to care. In contrast, Gender Plus operates as a for-profit entity through two businesses—Gender Plus and Gender Plus Hormone Clinic.
Sign Up Process: Anne Health vs Gender Plus
Both Anne Health and Gender Plus require a registration fee as part of their sign-up process. Anne Health’s registration fee is £200, while Gender Plus charges £275.
Membership Duration
Anne Health offers memberships with a minimum commitment of 12 months, providing structured care tailored to the needs of each stage of transition. Gender Plus does not specify a fixed end date for memberships but recommends a 24-month duration to ensure comprehensive care.
Intake Appointments
At Anne Health, the number of intake appointments varies based on individual circumstances, typically ranging from 1 to 3 sessions. These appointments are conducted by qualified members of the counselling team and follow a gender-affirmative, informed-consent approach. Importantly, all intake appointments are included in the initial registration fee, with no additional costs.
Gender Plus generally requires 2 to 3 intake appointments, with up to 6 appointments for patients aged 16–17. These required gender assessment sessions are charged separately at £275 per appointment, adding to the overall cost of care.
Monthly Membership: Anne Health vs Gender Plus
All Anne Health Standard, Transfer and Youth membership plans include:
✅ Doctors Appointments - with a qualified Consultant Endocrinologist
✅ All intake sessions with qualified member of therapeutic team
✅ All Prescriptions - Medication not included
✅ Qualified Clinician Review of Blood Tests - including in-person follow-up appointment where needed
✅ All Documentation - including referral letters, passport gender marker change letters, etc
✅ Personal Admin Support - Real people with experience and expertise responding to your needs.
🟡 All required IV blood tests are also included with Anne Health Standard Membership Plans (Transfer 12 and 24 plans pay in addition as required).
All Gender Plus membership for patients include:
🟡 Has a prescribing Nurse Practitioner instead of a doctor
🔴 Gender assessment sessions charged as extra
✅ All Prescriptions - Medication not included
✅ Qualified Clinician Review of Blood Tests
🔴 Documentation not offered (ie: referral letters, passport gender marker change letters, etc)
✅ Personal Admin Support
🔴 Blood tests not included - patients directed to request from GP, or to purchase privately
Blood Tests: Anne Health vs Gender Plus
Anne Health provides IV blood tests and follow-up consultations with a qualified medical professional as part of its Standard and Youth memberships. For patients on Transfer 12 and Transfer 24 memberships, Anne Health supports securing blood tests through the patient’s GP where possible. If this is not an option, IV blood tests can be arranged through Anne Health’s partner service at an additional cost.
In contrast, Gender Plus expects patients to establish shared care with their GP, with the GP conducting all required blood tests. If this arrangement is not feasible, patients are advised to arrange blood tests through private suppliers. These results are then reviewed by a Gender Plus clinician.
Medical Oversight: Anne Health vs Gender Plus
At Anne Health, medical oversight is provided by qualified doctors with expertise in gender-affirming care, including an endocrinologist with over two decades of experience in this field. Every patient at Anne Health has a consultation with a doctor to agree on a personalised care plan before any prescriptions are issued. Blood tests are carefully reviewed by the prescribing clinician as part of Anne Health's commitment to due diligence and safeguarding. In addition to connecting patients to expert accredited doctors, Anne Health also employs qualified nurses and counsellors accredited by their respective professional bodies.
Gender Plus operates through two distinct organisations: Gender Plus Gender and Mental Health Services and Gender Plus Hormone Clinic. Patients begin with a full gender assessment conducted by a qualified clinician within the Gender and Mental Health Services team. Once readiness for medical treatment is determined, patients are referred to the Hormone Clinic, where a prescribing nurse practitioner handles additional consultations and issues prescriptions. The Gender Plus Hormone Clinic is accredited by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Prescriptions: Anne Health vs Gender Plus
Both Anne Health and Gender Plus will provide private digital prescriptions for medication. These can be used to purchase medication from a pharmacy in the UK or EU at a cost set by the pharmacy.
Shared Care: Anne Health vs Gender Plus
Anne Health will provide a shared care agreement, including a full summary of patient care requirements, to the patient or their GP upon request. UK GPs may agree to provide blood tests and/or NHS prescriptions under the instruction of the overseeing medically qualified doctor.
Gender Plus will seek to enter into a shared care agreement with GPs for a period of 12 months, with the intention of discharging into the care of the GP after 24 months. Gender Plus states it has a 65% success rate in getting GPs to enter into a shared care agreement.
Under 18’s Treatment: Anne Health vs GenderGP
While Anne Health and Gender Plus both treat under 18’s, there are significant differences.
Anne Health accepts, and provides access to medical support to trans people of all ages, including trans young people under the age of 16.
Gender Plus does not provide medical support to young people under the age of 16.
Provision of Puberty Blockers: Anne Health vs GenderGP
Anne Health facilitates access to clinicians who prescribe GnRH puberty blockers for individuals under 18 using a ‘stage-not-age’ approach. This means that prescriptions are based on the onset of puberty, confirmed through blood tests, rather than being restricted by a specific age. Patients can legally obtain this medication from an EU country with a valid prescription and bring it back to the UK. To support families, Anne Health also connects them with a network of contacts outside the UK, streamlining the process of locating and securing medication without requiring families to find an EU pharmacy independently.
Gender Plus does not prescribe puberty blockers for individuals under 16. For those aged 16 and over, Gender Plus only prescribes puberty blockers in conjunction with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and does not offer them as a standalone treatment.
Like for Like Comparisons: Anne Health vs Gender Plus
Anne Health Youth Membership vs Gender Plus New Patients 16-18
| Anne Health | Gender Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Membership | New Patients 16-18 | |
| MEMBERSHIP | ||
| Contract Duration | 12 months | 12 months |
| Registration Fee | £200 | £275 |
| Intake Appointments Required | Usually 3 | Usually 6 |
| Intake Appointments Cost | Included | £275 x 6 = £1,650 |
| Monthly Fee | £150 (£100 after 12m £50 after 24m if 18+) | £80 |
| Monthly Fee Includes | ||
| Doctors Appointments | ✅ | *Nurse Practitioner |
| Injection Training | ✅ | ❌ |
| Prescriptions | ✅ | ✅ |
| IV Blood Tests | ✅ | ❌ |
| Blood Test Review by Clinician | ✅ | ✅ |
| Documentation | ✅ | ❌ |
| Personal Admin Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| SERVICES COSTS | ||
| Doctor Appointment | Included (30 mins) | *Nurse Practitioner Included |
| Counselling Sessions | £60 (50 mins) £40 (30 mins) | £150 (50 mins) |
| IV Blood Test - Incl Blood Draw (per test) | Included | ❌ |
| Prescriptions (each) | Included | included |
Anne Health Youth Membership vs Gender Plus Transfer Patients 16-18
| Anne Health | Gender Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Membership | Transfer Patients 16-18 | |
| MEMBERSHIP | ||
| Contract Duration | 12 months | 12 months |
| Registration Fee | £200 | £275 |
| Intake Appointments Required | Usually 3 | 3+ |
| Intake Appointments Cost | Included | £275 x 3 = £825 |
| Monthly Fee | £150 (£100 after 12m £50 after 24m if 18+) | £80 |
| Monthly Fee Includes | ||
| Doctors Appointments | ✅ | *Nurse Practitioner |
| Injection Training | ✅ | ❌ |
| Prescriptions | ✅ | ✅ |
| IV Blood Tests | ✅ | ❌ |
| Blood Test Review by Clinician | ✅ | ✅ |
| Documentation | ✅ | ❌ |
| Personal Admin Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| SERVICES COSTS | ||
| Doctor Appointment | Included (30 mins) | *Nurse Practitioner Included |
| Counselling Sessions | £60 (50 mins) £40 (30 mins) | £150 (50 mins) |
| IV Blood Test - Incl Blood Draw (per test) | Included | ❌ |
| Prescriptions (each) | Included | included |
Anne Health Standard Membership vs Gender Plus New Patients 18+
| Anne Health | Gender Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Membership | New Patients 18+ | |
| MEMBERSHIP | ||
| Contract Duration | 12 months | 24 months |
| Registration Fee | £200 | £275 |
| Intake Appointments Required | Usually 2 | Usually 2-3 |
| Intake Appointments Cost | Included | £275 x 3 = £825 |
| Monthly Fee | £150 (£100 after 12m £50 after 24m) | £80 |
| Monthly Fee Includes | ||
| Doctors Appointments | ✅ | Nurse Practitioner |
| Injection Training | ✅ | ❌ |
| Prescriptions | ✅ | ✅ |
| IV Blood Tests | ✅ | ❌ |
| Blood Test Review by Clinician | ✅ | ✅ |
| Documentation | ✅ | ❌ |
| Personal Admin Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| SERVICES COSTS | ||
| Doctor Appointment | Included (30 mins) | Nurse Practitioner Included |
| Counselling Sessions | £60 (50 mins) £40 (30 mins) | £150 (50 mins) |
| IV Blood Test - Incl Blood Draw (per test) | Included | ❌ |
| Prescriptions (each) | Included | included |
Anne Health Transfer 12 Membership vs Gender Plus Transfer Patients 18+
| Anne Health | Gender Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer 12 Membership | Transfer Patients 18+ | |
| MEMBERSHIP | ||
| Contract Duration | 12 months | 12 months |
| Registration Fee | £200 | £275 |
| Intake Appointments Required | Usually 1 | Usually 2 |
| Intake Appointments Cost | Included | £275 x 2 = £550 |
| Monthly Fee | £100 (£50 after 12m) | £40 |
| Monthly Fee Includes | ||
| Doctors Appointments | ✅ | Nurse Practitioner |
| Injection Training | ✅ | ❌ |
| Prescriptions | ✅ | ✅ |
| IV Blood Tests | ❌ | ❌ |
| Blood Test Review by Clinician | ✅ | ✅ |
| Documentation | ✅ | ❌ |
| Personal Admin Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| SERVICES COSTS | ||
| Doctor Appointment | Included (30 mins) | Nurse Practitioner Included |
| Counselling Sessions | £60 (50 mins) £40 (30 mins) | £150 (50 mins) |
| IV Blood Test - Incl Blood Draw (per test) | £110 - £200 (includes blood draw) | ❌ |
| Prescriptions (each) | Included | included |