It is our practice at Park Crescent Health Centre to ensure that we provide a safe space for all of our patients. We recognise that LGBTQIA+ patients experience higher levels of discrimination in their day to day lives, so it is our mission to offer a visible space of acceptance and inclusivity. We do not tolerate any discriminatory behaviour and our staff are always looking to improve and learn in order to offer the highest levels of care for every one registered with us.

We are working closely with several services to ensure that we offer as much as possible under the NHS, more information for support in the area can be seen below.

We have also recently been presented with the LGBTQ Inclusion Award through Switchboard. From inclusive coding to cancer care, and from pronouns to referral pathways, the health inclusion award is designed to save primary care teams time by providing a bank of bespoke tools and resources, alongside training and advice that remains on offer during and after a practice is awarded. Importantly, the award will allow practices to celebrate their LGBT inclusion credentials and share their success with patients, commissioners and bodies like the CQC

NHS Screening Programmes
If you are trans or non-binary please review this document in regards to NHS Screening Programmes to learn more about what you can expect to be invitied for. This includes bowel, abdominal aortic anuerysm, breast and cervical screens.


Breast Screening for Trans and Non-Binary People
OUTPATIENTS (formerly Live Through This) are the UK’s first charity dedicated to supporting and advocating for LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer. They seek to better represent the queer community in the cancer space, working collaboratively with beneficiaries, clinicians and other organisations to drive positive outcomes for all.

Breast cancer can affect people of any age or gender, so it’s really important to get to know what’s normal for your body and understand how it could change if you are transitioning

CoppaFeel! and OUTPATIENTS have produced these resources to ensure all trans and non-binary young people are empowered with the information they need to get to know their bodies. 

Switchboard is a Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ charity that provides a range of services to support the LGBTQ+ community.

They run a help line that is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, where they can support and provide information to connect you with the right LGBTQ service or offer advice. All of their helpline operators are volunteers and identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. You can call on 01273 204 050 - 7pm-9:30pm. See their Frequently Asked Questions for more information on their helpline

Switchboard also offers support groups for any LGBTQIA+ person experiencing domestic abuse, needing dementia support, older people looking for  a sense of community and information, a TNBI social prescribing service and run a LGBTQ+ Night shelter

LGBT Foundation: 0345 3 30 30 30 - Are you in need of a one-off call with a non-judgemental, friendly listening ear? Or do you need more active assistance in exploring what support may be available to you across the UK? Their Helpline and Email Support service provides brief interventions, advice, emotional support and signposting. Their team will spend time with you to explore your current situation, and work with you to identify potential next steps for support.

MindOut is a mental health service run by and for LGBTQ people in Brighton and Hove. They can advise in many different areas such as, mental health services, GP services, housing and homelessness, welfare rights, LGBTQ rights, support for addictions, counselling services, treatments, mental health law, Trans care pathways, community safety, immigration and asylum, relationship issues and many other things. You can contact them using a variety of methods including: calling on 01273 234 839, emailing info@mindout.org.uk, or using their online chat

Allsorts Youth Project listens to, connects and supports children and young people under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and their families. They offer youth groups, one-to-one sessions for any young person looking for support and a family service to provide information and support to parents/carers of children who are LGBTQIA+.

You can complete a referral form on their website and can contact youth@allsortsyouth.org.uk if you need support completing the form. All children & young people will need to have an introductory meeting with a Youth Support Worker to attend Allsorts services

The Clare Project: A registered charity run by and for trans, non-binary, gender-variant and gender-questioning people in Brighton & Hove, West Sussex and East Sussex. They run psychosocial support groups, information sessions, workshops and excursions, as well as providing information and training for individuals and organisations on community needs, and connecting people to affirmative peer support, psychotherapy and healthcare. They also offer some support and advocacy for people who are intersex / have variations in their biological sex characteristics.

You can attend the drop-in group for trans, non-binary, intersex, gender-variant and questioning people to connect with each other, chat and receive support. First Tuesday of the month 5-7pm. All other Tuesdays 2:30-5pm at Dorset Gardens, Methodist Church, BN2 1RL.

The Clare Project Meet & Eat is a monthly opportunity for trans, non-binary, intersex, gender-variant and gender-questioning people to go out to a chosen pub or restaurant and have a meal together. Every first Tuesday of the month at 7:15-9:00pm. All of the places visited have gluten-free and vegan options and are reasonably priced (approx. £10 for a main meal). 

The Clare Project Neurodivergent Group is a monthly space where people who are autistic/neurodivergent and also trans, nonbinary, intersex, gender-variant or gender-questioning can come along to connect with each other, chat and find out more about local support services. Every first Monday of the month 2:30-4:30 at The Ledward Centre, 14a Jubilee Street, BN1 1GE.

If you would like to attend any of the above Clare Project sessions and you are feeling nervous you can get in touch with a member of the team to meet with you beforehand, introduce you to the space and answer any questions.

Navigate Brighton offers support for the trans, non-binary and intersex community which includes a monthly meeting on Zoom, a Binder-library where you can order or donate secondhand binders and a book library with recommendations from the TNBI community. Please note that you will need to sign up to their service with an email address. 

Transsober is a service that supports the trans and non-binary community with drug and alcohol addiction. They offer drop in groups to help you find support with people who are like-minded and are part of the TNBI community.
They also offer one-to-one outreach support, which is a bespoke advice and signposting service to help manage loneliness, transitioning, deed polls, wellbeing, money management, employment etc.
Transsober also host regular sober social events where you can learn a new activity, access free services or take part in making something fun. 

You can also join them for regular online meetings via Zoom every Thursday 6-7:30pm. Request to join via their email address: info@transsober.org

Group participants will receive a free wellbeing bag to anyone who attends their sessions. You can also hire free sports equipment. Email transsober using the email address above to find out more.

Cervical Screening FAQ's

Have I got a cervix?

The cervix is inside the body at the top of the vagina, which joins to the bottom of the womb. People who were assigned female at birth usually have a cervix. If you have had gender confirmation surgery, you may not have a cervix. It is best to check with the healthcare team who did the treatment if you are not sure.

What is a cervical screening?

Cervical screening is a free health test that helps prevent cervical cancer. Everyone with a cervix between age 25 and 64 has a right to go for cervical screening. It is your choice whether you want to go.

Do trans patients need cervical screening?

Currently, in most surgeries, only people who are registered as female are automatically invited for cervical screening. At Park Crescent Health Centre, we have a process in place whereby all our trans (AFAB) patients are coded to be invited to book an appointment.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

If you use testosterone, it may cause some changes that make cervical screening more uncomfortable or painful due to less natural lubrication. But there are things that can help; you can ask for a smaller speculum size or for more lubrication. You may want to talk with the nurse about using topical oestrogen, if this is acceptable for you. It is usually given as a cream or slow-dissolving tablets that are used a couple of weeks before the appointment to help treat TRT changes. Sometimes the nurse isn’t able to view the cervix because of changes due to TRT or because it is in a slightly different position. If this happens, they may suggest you go to colposcopy instead. This is a clinic in a hospital where a doctor can take a closer look at the cervix.

Do lesbian and bisexual women need cervical screening?

Anyone with a cervix (aged 25 to 64) is eligible to attend cervical screening. Yet, as well as dealing with common barriers for not attending cervical screening, LGB women sadly face the myth that they don’t need to attend cervical screening, caused by common misconceptions, and lack of understanding around HPV and how cervical cancer develops. Research from the LGBT Foundation has shown that 40.5% of LGB women of screening age have incorrectly been told they do not need to attend because of their sexual orientation. This has had a lasting impact of declining smear test attendance in the LGB community.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is a really common virus that 80% of us will get at one point in our lives. It can be passed on between women, even if neither of them has ever had sexual contact with a man. This is because HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, which can include sexual touching, sharing sex toys, oral sex and penetrative sex. Sometimes people are told not to have a smear test due to the common misconception that LGB women can’t get HPV. If you have a cervix and have been told you can’t have one because of your sexual orientation, you can speak to your GP surgery about your experience and to book a smear test. 

Anxiety about going to the doctor

For some LGBT+ patients, going to the doctors can cause anxiety. People are routinely asked standard questions by doctors, which may lead to them having to disclose their sexual orientation each time. For instance, being asked about whether you are sexually active, whether you use birth control and if there is a possibility that you may be pregnant. All of these queries, invariably, can lead to a discussion about sexual orientation that may be unwanted.
If this is your experience, please know you do not have to answer these questions. If your sexual orientation is not something you want to talk about, it may be helpful to pre-plan your answers.

Some people experience a feeling of unease or distress (dysphoria) related to their body, which makes cervical screening particularly difficult for them. If you know or worry this might happen for you, there are some things that may help you feel more in control of the situation:
Ask for the door to be locked or unlocked. No one will interrupt your appointment or come into the room without permission, but you may feel more confident and at ease if the door is physically locked. Or you might find comfort in it being unlocked. Whichever you prefer, let the nurse know. 

Know your limits. It is important to remember that if you feel distressed, in pain or unsafe at any point, you can pause or stop cervical screening. This is true whether you need a short time to process what’s happening, or you would prefer not to have the test at all.
It is absolutely fine if you can’t have cervical screening during your first appointment. You can always try again on another day, at a different clinic, or possibly with another nurse. Be patient and gentle with yourself and remember that the priority is your health and wellbeing. The nurse is not there to judge and should be respectful of your emotional need to move forwards at your own pace.

Sexual Health Clinics

The Terence Higgins Trust offers advice on sexual health for trans and non-binary people. If you’re having sex, or thinking about it, get to know the ways to do it safely so you’re protecting yourself and others. See how you can manage risks and maintain good sexual health, and feel good about your sex life.

See information for trans women and trans feminine people

See information for trans men and trans masculine people

See this information for clinics and resources for trans and non-binary people

Clinic T is a Trans and Non-binary friendly Sexual Health and Contraception service who offer testing and treatment for STIs, help with bleeding control and contraception, cervical cytology, vaccination, social support and signposting to local partner support organisations. 

To request an appointment please call 01273 523 388, opt 1.  Alternatively, you may use the contact us form and you will be emailed a form to complete. You will be booked into the next available appointment and a text confirmation will be sent.

Clinic T is open on the second Wednesday of every month and is located at The Lawson Unit, Corner of Eastern Road and Abbey Road. BN2 1HS