N.S. Health works to expand access to youth gender-affirming care across province
Nova Scotia Health is working diligently to expand access to youth gender-affirming care across the province by replicating a successful clinic model introduced in the Annapolis Valley last year. The initiative aims to ensure that all youth, regardless of their location, have access to essential gender-affirming health care services.
In February 2024, a groundbreaking youth clinic dedicated to providing gender-affirming care opened in Kentville. Following this success, another clinic was launched in Bridgewater in March, with plans for additional clinics in the pipeline. According to mental health clinician Julien Davis, who is also trans, “Accessing gender-affirming care isn’t just a city thing or an urban thing. We exist in rural settings as well and ideally should be able to access that care wherever we’re at.”
The clinics offer a range of services including puberty blocker and hormone therapy treatments for youth aged up to 16 who have hit puberty. Additionally, children and their families can also be referred ahead of puberty to discuss any questions or concerns they may have. Puberty blockers are a reversible treatment that temporarily halts the progression of puberty, providing youth with more time to explore their identity without the distress associated with developmental changes. Hormone therapy, on the other hand, involves prescribing hormones like estrogen or testosterone to help trans and gender-diverse individuals develop physical characteristics aligned with their gender.
The clinics operate under an interdisciplinary model, with a team of pediatrics, mental health, nursing, and pharmacy practitioners providing comprehensive care. Nursing support is a unique feature of these clinics, as nurses can assist with administering treatments like injections and educate youth on how to self-administer safely. The goal is to replicate the successful Kentville model across Nova Scotia, tailoring each clinic to meet the specific needs of the local community.
The founder of the Cape Breton Transgender Network, Veronica Merryfield, commended the initiative, emphasizing the importance of having multiple services under one roof for easier access. She highlighted the financial and logistical challenges many families face when having to travel to Halifax for gender-affirming care. Merryfield also expressed concerns about potential backlash from those opposed to gender-affirming care, emphasizing the need for these clinics to operate discreetly within Nova Scotia Health facilities.
While the provision of gender-affirming care for youth has become increasingly politicized in recent years, Davis emphasized that the feedback from youth and their families who have utilized the Kentville clinic has been overwhelmingly positive. By prioritizing the needs of the youth and ensuring that essential services are accessible across the province, Nova Scotia Health is taking a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and supporting the well-being of trans and gender-diverse individuals.
