Please be aware that changing a patient’s name only will not change the gender marker on their medical records. Your name and title may change but your record will still state the gender given upon registration.
All individuals 18 years and over can request to change gender on their medical record at any time and do not need to have undergone any form of gender reassignment treatment in order to do so. When a patient changes gender, the current process for NHS systems requires a new NHS number and to be re-registered as a new patient. This will remove all references to a previous title/name/gender and provide patients with a newly created medical record. Relevant coded medical information relating to the patient will then be transferred into the new medical record but you must be made aware of the potential risk of loss of detailed medical information. This process is irreversible.
If at any point you wish to revert back to your original gender, you would need to apply for a third NHS number and another new medical record. Again, you must be made aware of the potential loss of detailed medical information.
Any Online Services accounts, will need to be re-registered under the new NHS number and patient record.
The practice will notify the PCSE (Primary Care Support England) and we must make you aware of the possible time scales and implications of changing the gender marker (e.g. changes to recalls for cancer screening services, please see the NHS website for details, below is an example of recall information that may be useful). You will be required to sign a consent form to confirm that the practice has provided you with the full information, including the implications when applying for a new NHS number in a different gender.
You can choose to keep your existing medical record and NHS number if you are happy to keep all references to your previous gender/title/name/gender specific pronouns. However, these cannot be amended/removed at any point in the future and all historic references will remain on your current record.
Cervical screening tests
- Trans men and non-binary people who have had a total hysterectomy to remove their cervix do not need cervical screening.
- Trans men and non-binary people who still have a cervix should have cervical screening to help prevent cervical cancer.
Further information is available on the NHS website regarding this and other recall services.
Timescale for receiving new NHS number/record
Due to NHS backlogs and increased workload, we aim to have your new record and new NHS number in place between 4-6 weeks from the date we receive your intention to change gender, but due to increased demand this can take longer. You will be contacted when the record change is complete and informed of your new NHS number.
Important information regarding ongoing referrals
If you have any outstanding referrals or are on any waiting lists, changing your gender and receiving a new NHS number/record should not affect your place on these lists, but patients are advised to contact any clinic or hospital they have ongoing care with to ensure they have your new NHS number and record on their system to ensure continuity of care.
If you are thinking about changing your title or gender on your medical record, please contact our Registrations Team at ddicb.mhsregistrations@nhs.net for further information on how to start this process.