If for whatever reason you want to change your name at the GP before doing a deed poll, maybe struggling to find someone to sign, or want the option to have your preferred name used without first ‘legally‘ changing it, it’s possible!

After 2 denied requests to the GP to change my name and title, I sent an email (outlined below), next day at 9am they call me and said the request has been processed.

Please edit as required the XX or sections enclosed in []. You may also need to redact the requested multiple times part unless it’s appropriate to your situation,

Top tip: Don’t have your GP’s email? Tell them you need to make a complaint or contact the practice manager about something, my first contact was about trans stuff and I just said I needed to discuss a policy with the practice manager and can I have an email to communicate.

Also you may wish to add to the email you want the change pushed to the NHS Spine so hospitals for example will get your updated information, after a few days I’d personally contact the hospitals to make certain they have the updated records, as some places don’t connect their systems directly to the NHS Spine for updates to patient details.

Hope this helps!

Email follows.

“Good day,

I am registered on your systems as follows:

Name assigned at birth: XXX

Preferred Title: XX

Preferred name: XX

Date of birth: XXX

Address: XXX

NHS number: XXX

I am a [non binary trans feminine patient]. I haven't yet changed my name by deed poll for various personal reasons, which I will not go into here. I have requested on multiple occasions that my name be changed on your records, even if it's solely listed as a preferred name until such time that I formally change it. However, this has currently been refused.

In line with the guidance from the PCSE, a deed poll is not required for a change of name. I would also be grateful if you could update my title to ‘XX’ and my contact email address to XX. [In terms of the gender marker, I wish ideally to be listed as non binary, but I'm aware that the NHS thinks in binary terms, so while I am not a woman, I am closer to a woman than I am a man. As such, if you cannot list me as non binary, please begin the process to list me as a woman. ]

The PCSE guidance you need is all here:

https://pcse.england.nhs.uk/help/patient-registrations/adoption-and-gender-re-assignment-processes/

It may also be helpful to refer to CQC guidance on what transgender patients should expect from their GP:

https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/gps/adult-trans-care-pathway-what-cqc-expects-gp-practices-0

I would particularly like to draw your attention to the following statement :

“Trans people may choose to change their name. If a patient asks for their name and gender to be changed in their medical records, a signed and dated request is all that is needed”

This provides further clarification that documentation should not be expected of me to change my name. I’m more than happy to sign and date a form so my name change can be logged formally, but I do not expect to be demanded to provide evidence of my name along with the form.

While I do not wish to do so, if the practice continues to ignore my polite requests, I will be left with no option available but to raise a formal complaint with the local ICB, NHS England and/or the GMC about the failing in a duty of care to a trans patient.

Regards

[name]

[pronoun]”

Credit to u/SleepyCatten for the letter. I added the second link upon some further research and feel it may have been the most useful link as it explicitly says no requirement for documentation, first link said its best practice to ask, but not required.

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