New monthly general practice clinic for trans and non-binary people in Lambeth

Bridge@Lambeth is a new monthly clinic within general practice that supports trans and non-binary residents in Lambeth. The clinic provides gender affirming healthcare within a primary care setting, and seeks to tackle barriers that may stop the trans and non-binary community from accessing primary care. The clinic is run by Lambeth GP Federation in partnership with local LGBTQ+ organisation Lambeth Links, and has GPs, nurses, healthcare assistants and a member of staff from Lambeth Links, who personally greets all those attending.

Bridge@Lambeth builds on the success of an established clinic in Southwark (Bridge@Southwark), to recognise and tackle the inequalities that trans and non-binary people experience in receiving healthcare.  The clinic is running as an 18-month pilot and is supported from South East London Integrated Care System inequalities fund.

Therese Fletcher, Managing Director of Lambeth GP Federation, said: “Lambeth has the largest LGBTQ+ population in London. We’re aware that trans and non-binary people face barriers in accessing care and support that meets their needs within mainstream primary care services. Our aim in establishing this clinic is to provide a service that understands people’s unique needs and delivers effective care and support, while also building confidence and expertise among both practitioners and patients, and learning for our wider primary care system in the longer term.”

Dr Max Kelen, Lead GP at the Bridge@Lambeth and Bridge@Southwark, said: “Since opening Bridge@Lambeth, we have been encouraged by the positive response of people who have used the service. Patients have told us they feel listened to, and we are working closely with all of general practice in Lambeth. We are pleased to be able to provide this important new offer of support for this significant section of our patient population.”

Get support from Bridge@Lambeth

Bridge@Lambeth runs once a month in Brixton. Patients interested in using this service can ask for a referral from their own GP, or contact the service directly at lgpf.bridgeatlambeth@nhs.net.