Supports for 2SLGBTQ, Transgender & Gender Diverse Patients

Lakeside Medical Clinic is a safe space for all, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Together we can create a safe space for everyone to be treated with compassion & respect.

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For a list of local 2SLGBTQ, Gender Identity, Gender Diversity, and Transgender Supports, please see below.

Healthline 811 – Saskatchewan’s confidential 24/7 phone line staffed by registered nurses, client navigators, registered psychiatric nurses and social workers. HealthLine can provide information on resources within the province.

HealthLine online (search Gender Identity) – Find answers to your health questions with HealthLine online.

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Dr. Jamil Sawaya (He/Him)

Dr. Jamil Sawaya is one of the newest physicians to join the Lakeside Medical clinic team!

Dr. Sawaya has a special interest in serving the 2SLGBTQ community, with a focus on Transgender Health. Dr. Sawaya is committed to supporting patients in all aspects of their Transgender health journey.

Ask your family doctor, or Urgent Care physician for a referral to Dr. Sawaya to discuss various tools, supports and resources available to you on your health journey.

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Gender Affirming Surgery

*info from Saskatchewan.ca

Several surgeries may be required as part of the gender affirming process. The most common procedures, such as hysterectomy and mastectomy, are provided in Saskatchewan. More complex procedures may require sub-specialized training which may not be available within the province.

If residents wish to go outside of Saskatchewan for gender affirming surgery, the Ministry of Health may cover up to 100 per cent of physician costs associated with some procedures, on the recommendation of a recognized authority. Travel and accommodation costs are not covered.

Prior approval is required from the Ministry for coverage of specialized surgical services or therapies that are only available outside Saskatchewan. A small number of procedures, mostly considered experimental or non-functional, are not covered.

Process for Accessing Gender Affirming Surgery

Saskatchewan residents interested in accessing services should begin by discussing their options with their family physician.
The treating family physician or specialty physician may order hormone therapy.
The treating family physician or specialty physician can make a referral to an in-province psychiatrist for advice, counselling and determination of next steps.
Surgical interventions may be considered once the treating psychiatrist determines that a patient has reached a point in the transition journey where they are ready to contemplate and request surgical changes. At this point, the treating psychiatrist will contact one of the recognized authorities regarding the patient’s case and follow the process outlined below:

Surgeries completed outside Saskatchewan require prior approval from the Ministry of Health, due to the variation between provinces regarding cost coverage for gender affirming surgeries. A recognized authority needs to recommend an out-of-province surgery before the Ministry can consider coverage for it.
Saskatchewan recognizes the following health/psychiatric authorities’ recommendations for out-of-province gender affirming procedures:
- Dr. Sara Dungavell, Saskatoon, SK
- Dr. Megan Clark, Regina, SK
- Dr. Lori Schramm, Regina, SK
- Dr. Leane Pask, Saskatoon, SK
- Dr. Samra Sahlu, Regina, SK
- Ontario’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
- Dr. Justin Petryk, Misericordia Hospital, Edmonton, AB
- Dr. Jane Gainer, Camrose, AB
- Dr. Joe Raiche, Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, AB
If the recognized authority recommends out-of-province gender affirming surgery, the Saskatchewan psychiatrist will forward the recommendation to the Ministry, and outline the request for surgical coverage.
The Saskatchewan psychiatrist will also forward the recommendation from the recognized authority with the referral to the out-of-province physician/surgeon in order for the development of an individualized treatment plan.
The Ministry adjudicates cost coverage for each out-of-province surgical request based on medical necessity. As part of the prior approval process, the Ministry requires the out-of-province physician/surgeon to provide a breakdown of the services to be performed and a cost estimate per service.
A small number of procedures, mostly considered experimental or non-functional, are not covered.
After receiving the cost estimate from the out-of-province surgeon, the Ministry completes the adjudication of the request and:
- notifies the treating out-of-province physician of the surgical/cost approvals;
- notifies the patient of the outcome of the decision; and
- copies the Saskatchewan treating psychiatrist on the letter.

5. Patients can be referred to an in-province specialist for surgeries, such as hysterectomy or mastectomy, which are covered and insured in Saskatchewan.

The cost of travel, accommodation and meals to access health services is not covered. In certain circumstances, Canada Revenue Agency may consider these expenses as tax deductions.

For more information about medical coverage, contact the Ministry of Health’s Medical Services Branch at 1-800-667-7523 or 306-787-3475 (Regina).

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Hormone Replacement Therapy

Residents who have an active Saskatchewan health card would be eligible for coverage of certain hormone replacement therapy listed on the Saskatchewan Formulary. Individuals would pay according to their approved co-payment. Inquiries about hormone therapy coverage can be directed to the Ministry of Health’s Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch at 1-800-667-7581 or 306-787-3317.
For help in resolving concerns or accessing services, contact a Quality of Care Coordinator in your area.

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OUTSaskaoon

Free counselling
Peer support
Pride Home
Workshops & Training

OutSaskatoon’s mission is to uplift 2SLGBTQ people by leading, serving, and supporting in a dynamic community. We foster physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health through intentional services and meaningful engagement.

Learn more by visiting their website by clicking HERE.

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PFLAG (Parents, Family & Friends of LGBTQ) Canada

Pflag Canada is proud to be Canada’s only national organization that offers peer-to-peer support striving to help all Canadians with issues of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. We support, educate and provide resources to anyone with questions or concerns. We promise to offer local, practical, and emotional peer-to-peer family support for individuals and their loved ones challenged by gender/sexual identity.

Learn more by visiting their website by clicking HERE.

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The Avenue Community Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity (ACC)

We address issues of gender and sexuality and provide services to improve the socio-emotional health of those in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, intersex, and queer (GLBTT2IQ*) community. Everyone is welcome regardless of how they define themselves in terms of gender or sexual identity. We offer a peer support counselling line, a drop-in centre, a resource library, groups, and special events.

306-665-1224
800-358-1833 (Toll Free)
800-358-1833 (Crisis Line)

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TransSask Support Services

Community jobs
Inclusive housing
Access affirming healthcare
Peer support
Name change guide
Trans-inclusive media guide

TransSask Support Services’ vision is that all people of Saskatchewan no matter their sex, gender, gender identity, or gender expression have the information, support, and opportunities needed to make for themselves the lives that they are able and wish to have.

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Saskatoon Pride

Recognizing, valuing, celebrating, and supporting Two Spirit, queer, lesbian, gay, trans, bi, and other gender and sexually-diverse people and their families.

The 2022 Saskatoon Pride Festival takes place June 12 to 18.

For more, click HERE.

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University of Saskatchewan Student Union Pride Center

*Available to U of S students

The USSU Pride Centre is a welcoming, vivacious, and celebratory campus community. We provide a friendly environment with a diverse group of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
The Pride Centre seeks to work with people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in an open and progressive environment that advocates, celebrates and affirms sexual and gender diversity.

For more, click HERE.

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Saskatoon Sexual Health Clinic

Have questions about your sexual health? We have welcoming and non-judgmental physicians and nurses who provide comfortable and caring clinical care. Saskatoon Sexual Health runs regular scheduled and drop-in clinics. Please arrive early during drop-in times, these clinics always fill up.
At our clinic, you can access:

Free Condoms
Various Birth Control Options including IUDs and the implant
Emergency Contraception
STI/HIV Testing
Point of Care Rapid HIV Testing
Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Testing)
Pregnancy Testing
Early Pregnancy Options
Medical Terminations/Abortions
HPV Vaccination
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention

For more info, click HERE.

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To suggest an additional available support for 2SLGBTQ, Transgender & Gender Diverse Patients, please email info to admin@lakeside.ca

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