King’s launches transgender sexual health service with cliniQ

The walk-in clinic, which will run every Tuesday from 4pm to 7pm at the Caldecot Centre at King’s College Hospital, will open at the end of April 2019.

In partnership with cliniQ, the new service will offer a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to meet the needs of trans people. Services include STI testing and treatment; contraception; counselling; acupuncture; cervical screening; hormone testing, hormone injection and advice; sexual assault support; hate crime support; housing advice; and the PrEP Impact Trial.

The service will be jointly delivered by trained King’s and cliniQ staff and will include a counsellor; a support worker; a nurse; a doctor; and an acupuncturist. The team will provide care and support at the clinic and will work with other relevant services such as primary care, mental health services and social services.

In addition to clinical and support services, King’s will be developing and delivering a range of training materials for healthcare professionals to raise awareness, knowledge and skills in relation to trans health.

Dr Michael Brady, Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV at King’s College Hospital and National Advisor for LGBT Health at NHS England said, “On Trans Visibility Day (31 March), I am very proud to announce the new service that we will deliver in partnership with cliniQ. Although the focus of our service will be on sexual health, we recognise that trans and non-binary people are disproportionally affected by health inequalities and a range of potential physical, psychological and social problems. As such we will adopt a holistic approach combining health and wellbeing services to help improve mental health, self-esteem and reducing isolation. A holistic approach to trans health also plays a key part in reducing vulnerability to HIV acquisition.”

Michelle Ross, cliniQ Co-founder and Director of Holistic Wellbeing Services added, “I am excited and immensely proud to announce that cliniQ in partnership with King’s College Hospital will be delivering and developing the very first sexual health and holistic wellbeing services in South London for trans, non-binary and gender diverse people. cliniQ have a substantial background of over seven years providing sexual health, HIV and holistic wellbeing services for trans communities, and we have convened five national ground-breaking conferences with international speakers from; San Francisco, Mexico City and TGEU Berlin. cliniQ’s focus is on improving the provision of health and wellbeing services in the UK for trans, non-binary and gender diverse people and enhancing their dignity in accessing services.”

Cllr Ed Davie, Lambeth Cabinet Member for Health, said: “This new service is something we’re very proud to deliver alongside King’s and the Health Innovation Network. I’m certain that it will make a positive difference to the lives of trans people in Lambeth and across South London, providing a whole range of health support in a safe, comfortable environment. This will increase learning and awareness, both for health professionals in the issues that trans people face, and also for trans men and women around sexual health and wellbeing, helping us reduce inequality and ensure that everyone can access the support that is right for them. From our black mental health commission to leading the Do It London HIV campaign, Lambeth Council has a proud record of working with our minority communities to improve health and I’m very pleased this new trans clinic builds on this offer.”

The new service is funded by the London Boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham and the Health Innovation Network (South London).