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