If you live in the South West of England and are waiting for an appointment at The Laurels or wish to complain to your MP in general about trans/GNC healthcare, we have put together a draft letter for you which can then be simply emailed to them via the “Write To Them” website – a link is below. 

A few details need to be completed, such as your name and date you were referred to The Laurels, but that is pretty much it – easy!  Trans allies can also adapt the letter to make complaints too. 

 

 

Dear…………….

 

I am a transgender/gender non confirming constituent. I am writing to you because I wish to make you aware of the abysmal healthcare I (and other people in my community) currently suffer in the South West of England – which without a doubt is the worst in the UK.

I was first referred to the Laurels Gender Identity Clinic (Exeter) on.…………….

I wish to make you aware that recently the Intercom Trust completed a survey for NHS England entitled ‘Gender Identity Healthcare in the South West – Survey Report.’ The survey, which involved 645 respondents, is online and can be found via Google search or by clicking HERE:

The anonymous survey was taken throughout March 2021 and published on May 21st 2021. The survey paints a grim picture, and I would like to make you aware of some of the quotes in the report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Many trans and gender non confirming (GNC) people could have their healthcare sorted by GP’s, but the survey reflects the fact that many GP’s fail to follow GMC guidance concerning trans/GNC people.

I would further advise that in January of this year, NHS England launched three new pilot projects, one of which covers the Greater Manchester area.

It is called “Indigo”, and patients in a similar position to my own are being treated in weeks and months.

Obviously, I am delighted for them, but this pilot urgently needs to be extended to centres in the South West too, and I am writing in the hope you can make representations to NHS England on my behalf to this effect.

 

Yours……..

 

WRITE TO THEM LINK: https://www.writetothem.com/

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(Pronouns - she/her) - Steph Richards is a 73-year-old 'post-op' trans woman with a Gender Recognition Certificate and works as a human rights activist. She was the elected Women's and LGBT Officer at Portsmouth Labour Party 2021 - 2024, CEO of Translucent.Org.UK, winner of the LGBT Organisation of the Year at the National Diversity Awards in 2022, co-founder of Women's Action Network (Portsmouth) and a volunteer at a Women's health charity. Steph was shortlisted as a "Gender Role Model" at the National Diversity Awards in 2025. Steph has been platformed live on BBC Radio 4 three times, including Women's Hour. She has also appeared on Times Radio, LBC Radio, GB News and Channel 4 News. In 2023, Steph debated trans human rights at an American university event alongside Harvard biologist and author Carole Hooven, PhD. Steph (an intersectional feminist) is passionate about the inclusion and acceptance of trans people in society. She advocates for women in prison, specifically pregnant women and calls out the mounting concern that abortion rights are at risk in the UK. She was the recipient of an Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Award in March, 2023.

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