Navigating Care

Finding care providers who understand gender health issues is important. This includes primary care providers, counsellors or other health-care professionals.

Trans Care BC's Health Navigation Team

Our health navigation team helps gender diverse Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary people in B.C. identify health-care system pathways, get information and find services, resources and supports related to gender-affirming care.

The team is made up of health navigators and administrative support staff. The team works alongside care providers, other services in the health-care system and community contacts from across the province to help people identify care options and support closer to home, wherever possible.

·       For information on our services, visit Who We Are.

·       If you need help accessing gender-affirming care in BC, please Contact Us.

Accessing health care in BC

Primary care providers are your main, ongoing, health-care supports in non-emergency situations. Primary care providers may be family doctors or nurse practitioners. 

Medical specialists have expertise in a particular area of health care, such as plastic surgery, gynecology or endocrinology. To see a specialist, you must get a referral from a primary care provider.

Finding a primary care provider can be challenging and there is lots of work going on in B.C. to continue to improve access. If you do not have a primary care provider, our Finding a Gender-Affirming Primary Care Provider resource may be of help.

Research confirms that, unfortunately, Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary people often experience barriers to receiving health care, including:

  • refusal of care;
  • difficulties getting referrals;
  • lack of provider knowledge on trans issues; and
  • uncomfortable or problematic interpersonal interactions.

Trans Care BC continues to actively train health-care providers to learn more about respectful and appropriate care for trans people (visit our Online Courses page for to learn more about gender diversity and creating gender-affirming environments). Despite these efforts, Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary people may sometimes have to help their health-care providers learn about how to better meet their needs. Trans Care BC is working with partners in the health-care system to improve care and reduce barriers, but in the current state, gaps do exist. Our resource sheet Speaking with your Provider about Gender-Affirming Care provides tips and guidance to help you speak with a provider about your trans health needs.

Online and in-person resources exist to help you access care. These resources include:

  • Health navigation team: This team helps identify health-care system pathways, getting information and finding services, resources and supports related to trans health.
  • Our online resources: Information you can use to help advocate for yourself in health settings.
  • Peer support directory: Find peer support services in your area.
  • Provincial Language Service: If you need a spoken or sign language interpreter, you can ask your doctor or specialist to book one for you through this service.
  • Trans Rights BC: Information on your right to access health care.

SOURCE: Navigating Care ( )
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