Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust in north west London was forced to close its Gender Identity Development Service (Gids) service earlier this year and recorded a deficit in its latest financial year.

A spokesperson for the trust said: ‘To set us on a more sustainable footing for the future the Tavistock and Portman are working with Central and North West London Foundation Trust (CNWL), in partnership with University College London (UCL) and the London borough of Camden on a merger proposal.

‘A merger would help us to retain and grow our pioneering clinical, educational and research offerings and allow us to continue to make a meaningful difference to people's lives.'

A CNWL spokesperson commented: ‘Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is working in partnership with University College London and the London borough of Camden on a merger proposal. An official announcement is expected in the coming months.'