Scots gender services struggle as patients wait up to 5 years despite 12-week goal

Waiting Times for Gender Identity Services in Scotland Exceed National Goal, Reveals Data

Thousands of individuals in Scotland are experiencing significant delays in receiving gender identity care, despite the national target for wait times being set at 12 weeks. New figures from Public Health Scotland (PHS) show that out of the 5,640 people currently on the waiting list for treatment, 75% have been waiting for up to three years. Shockingly, 1,431 patients have been waiting for over three years, with 184 individuals not having been seen for more than five years.

The data highlights that only 5% of those on the waiting list have been waiting for less than three months, indicating a substantial backlog in gender identity services in Scotland. The majority of patients waiting for more than three years (98%) are awaiting appointments at an NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde clinic for adults or young people. In response to these concerning statistics, the Scottish Government had previously committed to reducing wait times for gender identity services to meet national targets, including ensuring that 95% of outpatients are seen within 12 weeks of referral.

Despite efforts to address the issue, the PHS data also reveals an increasing demand for gender identity services in Scotland. In the last year, there has been a 7% rise in the number of people waiting for their first outpatient appointment, with 4,643 adults and 997 young people currently awaiting care. However, these figures may underestimate the true demand as patients are often transferred between clinics.

Vic Valentine, Scottish Trans manager, emphasized the emotional toll of these long waits, describing them as “unbearable” for individuals waiting for gender identity care. Valentine stressed the importance of recognizing the impact of these delays on people’s mental health and self-esteem, urging for a reevaluation of the current healthcare delivery models to address the prolonged waiting times.

Public health minister Jenni Minto acknowledged that the current performance in reducing wait times is not satisfactory and that more actions need to be taken to improve the situation. Minto highlighted the importance of utilizing the nationally collated data to drive service enhancements and address regional variations in wait times. Moving forward, the commitment remains to prioritize the needs of individuals seeking gender identity care and to ensure they are at the forefront of discussions on service provision.

In conclusion, the challenges faced by individuals waiting for gender identity services in Scotland underscore the urgent need for improved access to care and support. Addressing the prolonged wait times requires a collaborative effort from health boards, policymakers, and healthcare providers to ensure that all individuals have timely access to the care they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.