At Sherbourne Health Centre, we provide responsive, respectful programs and services for the Transgendered and Transsexual (Trans) community. We understand the issues you are facing because we developed our approach to care in consultation with knowledgeable healthcare providers and people like you - members of the Trans community. We believe this approach reduces many of the traditional barriers to care that Trans people and others questioning their gender identity often experience.
If you are dealing with gender identity issues, we can help you with primary medical care and other services such as:
Hormone Therapy is a key health service for anyone wanting to transition from one gender to another. If you are considering cross-sex hormones for the first time or re-initiating hormone treatment, it is best you do so with the help of a knowledgeable, experienced physician and health care team.
At Sherbourne Health Centre, our health care team works with you to develop a clearly outlined treatment plan – “a care contract” - that fits your unique requirements and delivers the best health outcome for you. Your provider ensures you fully understand what changes to expect and all the possible health risks involved in hormone therapy. Together, you agree on the best treatment option in a professional relationship based on mutual respect and trust.
Before any decisions are made about prescribing hormones, your provider must assess your particular situation and medical history. This assessment usually takes place over a three-month preparatory period. During this period you will make at least five visits to the Centre to see your provider(s).
Not everyone who seeks hormone therapy automatically qualifies. Much depends on your medical history and other important factors. However, your provider discusses all possible options with you and makes every effort to provide supportive care to help you improve your health.
Guidelines and Protocols for
Comprehensive Primary Health Care for Trans Clients
These guidelines are designed to help Ontario clinicians in their day-to-day
practice with their transgender and transsexual clients. The guidelines
summarize the current clinical practice at Sherbourne Health Centre (SHC) and
they are meant to reflect the SHC medical team's management of transsexual
clients and to thus help other physicians by demystifying their practice.
The guidelines include protocols for treatment with hormone therapy for both
Male-to-Female and Female-to-Male transsexuals, as well as guidelines for
providing resources, support and advocacy for trans clients. The guidelines also
include sample letters and forms and a glossary of frequently used terms.
Download the guidelines
here