🌈LGBTQ+

We support everyone regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation and strive to ensure all our patients have an empathic and quality experience.

We recognise that many people in the LGBTQ+ community are often reluctant to ask for medical help because of negative experiences they may have had in the past.

All our staff at the practice are working to improve their understanding of the issues facing our LGBTQ+ patients and positively support them in accessing the care they need.

As a reflection of our commitment to LGBTQ+ patients, we are proud to be working towards the Pride in Practice scheme run by The LGBT Foundation.

This scheme identifies GP surgeries that are fully committed to ensuring that their LGBTQ+ patients are treated fairly and are able to discuss their issues openly with their GP or other healthcare clinician.

Did you know? You can change your title from Mr to Miss/Mrs/Ms or from Miss/Mrs/Ms to Mr without changing your gender.

If you want to change your preferred pronouns, just let us know.

Did you know? To change your name on your medical records you need to complete a Change of Personal Details form. 

If you prefer, we can add a "known as" name to your record so we as a practice can call you by your preferred name.

Patients may request to change gender on their patient record at any time and do not need to have undergone any form of gender reassignment treatment to do so.

We must advise you, the patient, that changing your gender on your records would mean that you will be supplied with a new NHS number which is not reversible, and we will need to register you as a new patient. Your old NHS number will no longer exist and your existing medical information will be transferred into your new medical record minus any information relating to your previous identity.

To revert to your previous gender, we would need to issue you with a third NHS number and transfer your then existing medical information minus any information relating to your previous identity to your new record.

Please note: Upon changing your gender it is important that you understand that you will not receive automatic invites for screening for certain cancers and conditions. It is important that you read and understand this leaflet NHS Screening Guidance for Trans Patients before requesting to change your medical records.

We suggest you discuss with your doctor any future screening that maybe relevant to your gender at birth. We, as a practice, are responsible for inviting you to discuss appropriate screening at the relevant time.

If you agree to the above, please complete and submit the Gender Change on Medical Records form. We aim to complete the Gender Change within 4 weeks and you will be notified on completion. Please ensure we have your up-to-date contact information.

Having unprotected penetrative sex is the most likely way to pass on a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Using a condom helps protect against HIV and lowers the risk of getting many other STIs.

If you’re a man having sex with men without condoms and with someone new, you should have an STI and HIV test every 3 months, otherwise, it should be at least once a year. This can be done at a sexual health clinic (SHC) or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. This is important, as some STIs do not cause any symptoms.

Please see the linked NHS page for further information. 

Women who have sex with other women can pass on or get STIs. 

Women can catch STIs such as chlamydia when exchanging bodily fluids.

Herpes and genital warts can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact. This includes oral sex or using the same hand when touching yourself and then your partner.

If you have any of the symptoms or are worried you may have an STI, speak to your GP or visit an STI clinic.

Getting tested regularly is a good idea to ensure you have a healthy sex life.

Please see the linked NHS page for further information. 

There are several ways you could become a parent if getting pregnant by having sex is not an option for you.

Possible ways to become a parent include:

• donor insemination
• IUI (intrauterine insemination)
• surrogacy
• adoption or fostering
• co-parenting

All these options can be explored by anyone, including single people and same sex couples. Please see below for more information. 

Sperm is put inside the person getting pregnant. This can be done at home, with sperm from a licensed fertility clinic, a sperm bank or someone you know.

If you choose donor insemination, it’s better to go to a licensed fertility clinic where the sperm is checked for infections and some inherited conditions. Fertility clinics can also offer support and legal advice.

If the sperm is not from a licensed fertility clinic, the person donating the sperm can get tested for sexually transmitted infections at a sexual health clinic.

In the UK, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) makes sure licensed fertility clinics run safely and legally.

In IUI (intrauterine insemination) sperm is put in the womb of the person getting pregnant. This is done at a licensed fertility clinic. The sperm can be from someone you know or from a sperm bank.

A licensed fertility clinic will check the sperm for sexually transmitted infections and inherited conditions.

Find a licensed clinic with HFEA's fertility clinic search.

Surrogacy is when someone has a baby for people who cannot, or choose not to, get pregnant themselves.

In the UK either sperm or egg can be from a donor, but not both.

Surrogacy is legal in the UK, but it's illegal to advertise for surrogates and the surrogate cannot be paid a fee.

Surrogacy is not available on the NHS.

Surrogacy guidance is available here. 

You can apply to adopt or foster through a local authority, or an adoption or foster agency. You do not have to live in the local authority you apply to, and you can be single.

You’ll have to complete an assessment before adopting or fostering, with the help of a social worker and preparation training.

New Family Social is a charity for LGBT+ adoptive or fosterings parents. 

GOV.UK: Child Adoption

GOV.UK: Becoming a foster parent

This is when 2 or more people team up to conceive and parent children together. 

As a co-parent, you will not have sole custody of the child. It's advisable to get legal advice at an early stage of your planning.

There are many details to think about, such as how you'll split financial costs.

If you're thinking about starting treatment to physically change your body or you've already started treatment, you can read information for trans and non-binary people seeking fertility treatment on the HFEA website.

Information on testosterone and pregnancy.

Information on chestfeeding.

Chippenham LGBTQ youth sessions – On Your Mind offer supportive sessions for young people.

Consortium offers a range of practical support for people who run LGBTQ+ groups, projects and networks from fundraising to practical information about running and growing a group.  

Galop is the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity working with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of interpersonal abuse and violence.

LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428  Email: help@galop.org.uk

LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline: 020 7704 2040  Email: hatecrime@galop.org.uk

Conversion Therapy Helpline 0800 130 3335  Email: CThelp@galop.org.uk

Gendered Intelligence is a registered charity that exists to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve trans people's quality of life.  They are a trans-led and trans-involving grassroots organisation with a wealth of lived experience, community connections of many kinds, and a depth and breadth of trans community knowledge. 

LGBT Foundation's Helpline Service has been running for 35 years and provides thousands of hours of advice and support to thousands of people every year on a huge range of issues. The Helpline is staffed by a team of dedicated staff and volunteer operators, all of whom receive extensive training and support. The LGBT Foundation helpline is a good first step if you are unsure of how to access support and advice.

Call: 0345 3 30 30 30 Monday to Friday between 10am and 6pm
Email: helpline@lgbt.foundation and receive a reply within 10 working days

Mermaids focus on supporting and informing gender diverse children and young people, and their families, with a particular focus on younger children who may be questioning their gender or who identify as trans. Mermaids have online forums, a helpline, and host meet ups across the UK.

Stonewall Young Futures | Stonewall is a hub for all young lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace people thinking about their next steps.

The Swindon TG Group is a local Transgender support group that exists in order to provide information and help to those who are either confused about gender or who are simply looking for a safe and friendly environment in which to ‘dress’ regardless of age, gender, sexuality, disability, religion, ethnicity or any other totally irrelevant factor.

Swindon & Wiltshire Pride | LGBTQ+ Festival (swindonwiltshirepride.co.uk) stages an annual LGBTQ+ event and their purpose is to promote equality and diversity for the public benefit and in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. Including in particular but not exclusively by raising awareness, engaging with the community, celebrating the diversity of LGBTQ+ communities and advancing education. 

Trans Unite is a comprehensive resource for people in the UK searching for support in the transgender community. Their easy to use, mobile friendly directory connects users to an established local network of trans support groups.

Support-for-LGBTQ-in-Wiltshire-Ver01-Jan2022.pdf (wessexcommunityaction.org.uk) 

Find out about local LGBTQ+ groups here LGBTQ groups in Chippenham - Meetup