posted 2 April, 2024

The NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service (North West)

About the Service

The NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service (North West) is a partnership between Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust).

Together we are commissioned by NHS England to provide specialist gender-related care and support for children and young people.

At the heart of our service is a real focus on delivering quality care to children and young people.

Our team of specialist health professionals will work alongside local services to ensure children and young people are given the support they need. Children, young people and their families and/or carers will be seen in a welcoming and friendly environment. Our staff will give time and space to build up trusting relationships and help reduce distress relating to gender discomfort. Families and/or carers will also be involved and supported.

Our approach is to deliver the best possible care and advice for children and young people, in line with NHS guidance and informed by research.

Click here to read our statement.

Who you will meet

The team delivering the service is made up of paediatricians, nurse specialists, mental health professionals (including psychiatrists and psychological professionals) occupational therapists, social workers, youth workers, family therapists, and speech and language therapists.

As with any specialist service, children and young people will continue to need support from local services, including GPs, other health and social care professionals, voluntary sector services and mental health teams.

Referral Information

From 2nd April 2024, the NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service (North West) will focus on the safe transfer and care of existing patients from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, which was previously the only NHS provider of gender services for children and young people.

The service is for children and young people up to their 18th birthday. The national waiting list is being held by Arden and GEM CSU on behalf of NHS England and patients will be transferred across to new regional centres as soon as appointments become available.

To make a referral to the service please visit NHS Arden and GEM CSU’s National Referral Support Service website or contact them on agem.cyp-gnrss@nhs.net / 01522 857799

Need urgent mental health support?

Contact your local crisis care service if you need urgent support.

Contact Us

Please contact agem.cyp-gnrss@nhs.net or telephone 0300 131 6775