Gender network helps inform development of clinical pathways

Perth’s Gender Network is helping to inform the development of clinical care pathways for gender transitioning young people in Western Australia.

Project background

The Western Australian Department of Health Clinical Senate met in early 2012 to debate youth sexual health.

Following a presentation that highlighted the urgent need for the health system to understand how sexuality, sex and gender impacts on young people’s access to and experience of health professionals and services, a project was funded to meet the need. 

The project which is co-sponsored by the Child and Adolescent Health Services and the Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program, will develop a clinical pathway identifying existing services and programs within WA, with the aim to improve integration and coordination of existing services to assess, refer, treat, care and support gender transitioning youth by a skilled, multi-disciplinary workforce.

Trish Langdon, who has most recently held the role of Executive Director of the WA AIDS Council, is leading the project and at the project’s conclusion will deliver a project report and clinical pathway for endorsement by the Child and Youth Health Network, Executive Advisory Group.

A key part of the project involves establishing a project reference group to provide oversight, advice and monitoring of the project.

“Approaching the members of the Perth Gender Network to participate in the project reference group was very beneficial,” said Trish. “They’re a great group of clinicians who are very active in the field and have built a wealth of experience throughout their careers.”

An established network with more than 13 meetings to their credit, they meet bi-monthly and regularly attract between 15 and 20 clinicians. Network members come from a diverse range of professions, including GPs, paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, an epidemiologist, endocrinologists and speech therapists.

Trish has been invited to attend future meetings and the network’s coordinator, Dr Rowena Koek has encouraged group members to provide input to aid the development of this important project.

MHPN is well placed to broker connections with its networks, who can be approached to contribute valuable, timely and relevant input into a variety of projects.

Contact MHPN if you think we may be able to assist you or your organisation.

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