Welcome to the Trans Support Service (TSS) provided by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. The following information outlines the service that we offer and where it fits into the local gender dysphoria pathway.
Our Trans Support Service supports transgender, and gender non-conforming people living in Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley by listening to them, informing them of available options to relieve their gender distress and empowering them to move forward with their lives. You can usually be referred to the service by your GP, but you may also self-refer.
There is currently a significant waiting list for this service. Following the appointment of a new therapist, this is now reducing. However, if your GP is considering making a referral to the service on your behalf, please advise your GP that you wish to be referred to a Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) at the same time, and let them know your preferred clinic. If you are referring yourself to the Trans Support Service, and you also wish to be referred to a GIC and have not already been referred, please ask your GP to make the referral. This will minimise delay in accessing your preferred GIC.
When you are offered appointments with the Trans Support Service, you can expect up to four hour long sessions with an experienced Therapist/Counsellor.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, you will not be invited to attend face-to-face appointments, but will instead be offered video call contact via Attend Anywhere, or, if you prefer, telephone appointments.
Each person who accesses the service will have different hopes for what they might get out of their sessions. You might want to talk about your personal history, and how your gender identity has impacted upon your life, including the impact of transitioning upon partners, family and friends. You may consider your life goals, obstacles to progress, and strengths and resources that might be employed to overcome them. Some people who access the service want information about other available services, and assistance with referrals to them. You can set your unique agenda with the therapist.
The therapist may be able to make referrals directly to support agencies that are available to assist with difficulties relating to housing, employment, addiction or substance use; or relationship or sexual problems. They may also support your GP with any onward referral to a gender identity clinic and associated funding application if appropriate, and with signposting you to other local Trans specific support agencies.
If you have any queries regarding any of the above information please do not hesitate to contact us on 0151 247 6555.
Self refer using our online web form.
Or you can call us on 0151 247 6555, ask for the Trans Support service and we will arrange a time for one of our therapists to contact you.
- Trans Health Merseyside – https://sahir.org.uk/lgbt/
- Spirit-level Transgender Support group – information can be found on their facebook page
- LIV.FAST Network (Female to Male transgender support) – http://livfastnetwork.webs.com/meetings
- Sparkle – the National Transgender Charity www.sparkle.org.uk
- The Trans Support Service is only available to people aged 18 or over. If you are aged under 18, support is available from YPAS – https://ypas.org.uk/
Our patients matter
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.
If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints Team
Telephone: 0151 471 2377
Freephone: 0800 328 2941
Email: palsandcomplaints
To request information in an alternative format or language please speak to a member of staff.
For more information about the Cheshire and Merseyside Adult Genger Identity Collaborative, please look at their web page.