Family doctors a critical piece of transition health care, trans advocates say ottnews ottawa
"They can deal with some things, but they're not set up like a family health clinic is and they can't prescribe things like certain antidepressants … so there's a huge lack of care," von Scarlett said.Michelle Hurtubise, the health centre's executive director, says the clinic is designed to work in concert with a family doctor.
It's one of the only clinics providing trans health care to adults in the city, and as a result people are waiting more than two years for an appointment, Hurtubise said.Fae Johnstone, an LGBTQ rights advocate and executive director of the consulting firm Wisdom2Action, said von Scarlett's experience is common.
"Folks are often stuck from that first step, and that's why they often head to gender clinics like the Trans Health program at Centretown Community Health Centre." But they said finding one is key. Sadgrove says family doctors can connect patients to the array of care they need during the transition process.
Von Scarlett goes for counselling sessions at the CCHC, but they are limited in scope. She said the mental health coverage under OHIP is also limited, but when she tried going to private therapy a few years ago, she had to work two jobs to be able to afford it.