‘Unacceptable’ waiting list of up to eight years for NHS gender care, reveals health secretary
Patients face 42,000-long waitlist for NHS gender care
- NHS gender care waiting lists have reached more than 42,000 people, with some patients enduring waits of up to eight years for initial appointments.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting described these waits as "unacceptable", noting the severe impact on trans people's mental health.
- A new £125,000 pilot scheme in the southwest of England will offer information and mental health support to patients on the waiting list, with plans for national rollout if successful.
- Patients awaiting gender services will also gain access to online cognitive behavioural therapy through the NHS’s Silvercloud service.
- A national review of adult gender dysphoria clinics is currently underway to address operational concerns and improve services, following previous findings regarding child gender care.