Health Care Providers – Trans Health Klinic

Trans Health Klinic 

Team Approach

  • The trans health team is an inter-professional team which consists of: trans peer supporter, social workers, nurse coordinator, psychologist, and practitioners (physicians and nurse practitioner). The shared care model is utilized in order to provide equitable access to all clients.
  • The trans health team provides transition, consultation, medical, and psychosocial supports for transgender clients
  • The trans health team aims to provide individualized care whereby clients lead their individual transition journey 

Specialty Clinic

  • Care is provided to trans individuals >16 ½ years of age seeking transitioning care (hormone initiation, hair removal, speech therapy, and surgery referrals)
  • Care is provided for individuals who identify as transgender and/or non-binary inclusive of Two-spirit, agender, bigender, genderqueer, gender fluid, and more
  • Trans clients can request transition related referrals any time even if their primary care provider is managing their hormone therapy
  • The trans health team DOES NOT provide primary care, urgent care, or emergency care

Client’s Journey at Trans Health Klinic

  • Step 1: Phone intake by Trans Peer Supporter– Clients can self-refer by calling Klinic’s Trans Peer Supporter who will obtain demographic information, explain the intake process, and book the client a social worker intake
  • Step 2: Social Worker intake– Clients will meet with a social worker who will explore their social and mental health history and their transition needs
  • Step 3: Nurse and Practitioner medical intakes & Baseline Lab work (same day): Clients will meet with a nurse who will explore their health history and transition needs. Afterwards, clients will meet with a practitioner who will further explore complex health issues and transition needs. Lastly, clients will be required to obtain baseline blood work if planning to undergo hormone therapy.
  • Step 4: 2nd Practitioner visit: The practitioner will review baseline lab work and request for clients to sign a hormone consent therapy form. If trans health labs are within the therapeutic range and the client has consented to hormone therapy, a prescription will be given. Referrals for other eligible procedures can also be provided by this time.
  • Step 5: Follow-up appointments with any providers– Clients can seek care for transgender health NOT acute or chronic health issues from any provider while connected to the Trans Health Klinic
  • Step 6: Psychology appointment at Klinic– If a client asks for a procedure/surgery referral from a trans health practitioner, the client will be referred to a psychologist for a surgical readiness assessment.
  • Step 7: Transfer of care to primary care provider: A client’s care will be transferred to their primary care provider once they are on a stable dose of hormone therapy. A client can book an appointment with a trans health practitioner if they are seeking a procedure/surgery referral in the future even if their primary care provider is managing their hormone therapy (no referral from a primary care provider is needed).

Transfer of Care

  • Once the client is at a stable dose of their hormone therapy, care will be transferred to their primary care provider
  • Trans health practitioners will send a formal transfer of care letter to primary care providers which details trans health lab monitoring and primary care screening guidelines, and providers are more than welcome to seek further consultation about hormone monitoring and prescribing

Consultation

  • If you are a health care provider seeking consultation for hormone therapy adjustment or dosing, please fax a letter to Klinic or send an e-consult
  • Since practitioners utilize a shared care model, address the consultation letter as, Attention: Trans Health Klinic Practitioners
  • The available practitioner will consult with you

Trans Health Klinic Learners

  • The trans health klinic promotes capacity building by encouraging health care provider learners to shadow the trans health team
  • If you are a trans health klinic learner, please refer to the following resources for preparation prior your shadow shift:

Guidelines/Fact sheets

Free modules/webinars/videos

The Basics

Guidelines/Fact Sheets

Free Training Modules/Webinars/Videos

Primary Care & Hormone Therapy

Guidelines/Fact sheets

Free Modules/Webinars/Videos

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Guidelines/Fact sheets

Free Modules/Webinars/Videos

Mental Health 

Guidelines/Fact sheets

Free Modules/Webinars/Videos

Surgery 

Manitoba Health Requirements

  • Manitoba Health requires a diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria (GD) by approved practitioners for surgeries to be funded
  • Manitoba Health requires a referral letter by an approved Manitoba Health practitioner AND a referral letter by an approved Manitoba Health psychologist to confirm GD
  • Surgeries can only be funded if clients see Manitoba Health approved surgeons otherwise expenses will out-of-pocket

Trans Health Klinic Referral Process

  • Step 1: Individuals must become clients at the Trans Health Klinic in order to request for the following referrals: voice therapy, hair removal, top/upper surgery, bottom/lower surgery
  • Step 2: Clients can request for referrals from a Trans Health practitioner during an appointment
  • Step 3: The Trans Health practitioner will complete a psychology checklist to ensure that clients meet the criteria for surgery
  • Step 4: The Trans Health practitioner will refer clients to Trans Health’s in-house psychologist who will perform an in-depth surgical readiness assessment. The client will book their psychology appointment at the Klinic front desk.
    • Our Trans Peer Supporter can provide support if clients have inquiries regarding their psychology appointment
  • Step 5: Clients will attend their psychology appointment. Afterwards, the psychologist will write a psychology report and psychology short letter about the client’s surgical readiness.
  • Step 6: Once the psychology report is complete, the Trans Health practitioner will write their referral letter
  • Step 7: Referral letters by the psychologist and Trans Health practitioner will be sent to the an approved Manitoba Health surgeon and Manitoba Health

Procedure/Surgery/Social Transitioning Coverage

Surgery Information

Medical Forms

Online Resources

Local Resources