THE Scottish Government has released a plan to bring down waiting times for Gender Identity Services, backed by a £9 million investment.
The NHS Gender Identity Services Strategic Action Framework, released on Monday December 20, sets out aims to improve gender identity healthcare by the end of 2021.
The document revealed that in early 2021, some patients had waited a staggering 35 months between their referral and first appointment.
The framework also sets out plans to support those on waiting lists for services, and to look at the possibility of gender reassignment surgery being made available in Scotland.
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Currently, the procedure is provided by the NHS via a “four nations contract” managed by NHS England, the framework explained, and no gender reassignment surgery currently takes place in Scotland. There are four Gender Identity Clinics (GIC) based in four healthboards; NHS Grampian, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Highland and NHS Lothian.
The framework also set out that there is “geographical variation” in the provision of care for trans people across the country, and that the framework will aim to ensure “equitable access” to specialist services.
Public Health Scotland will also be commissioned to collect data, monitor and report on waiting times for gender identity services, to bring them in line with national targets.
Maree Todd, Public Health Minister, said: “This ambitious framework demonstrates our commitment to improve access to and delivery of gender identity healthcare.
Todd launched the framework, which was part of the SNP-Green co-operation deal
“We want to reduce the unacceptable waits to access gender identity services and provide sustainable services and support.
“I am determined that through working with people using these services, organisations representing trans people, clinical groups and NHS Boards we will transform these services and improve the lives of trans people living in Scotland.”
Lorna Slater, Scottish Greens co-leader and minister for circular economy, added: “Lengthy waiting times for trans people has a serious impact on their mental health. Protecting their right to essential healthcare is a vital part of our commitment to advancing equality for LGBTI people.
"This framework will improve services for a community that is often marginalised.”
The framework also notes that in recent years the number of people referred to GIC’s in Scotland has increased, which has added to demand.
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Deputy chief medical officer Professor Nicola Steedman said: “Referrals to gender identity services have increased over the last few years and so too have waiting times. Despite the dedication of NHS staff, we know that some people are currently waiting over three and a half years from referral to first appointment.
“This work will allow us to improve waiting times and ensure gender identity healthcare is person centred, sustainable and built on the principles of realistic medicine."
Scottish Trans Alliance Manager Vic Valentine said: “We warmly welcome this strategic action framework, which alongside crisis funding also provides the foundations for making long lasting, significant change to gender identity healthcare that is so desperately needed.
“Trans people deserve to live happy, healthy lives, and to have access to the healthcare we need to make this possible.
Greens co-leader Slater welcomed the plans to transform gender identity services
“We look forward to contributing to work to transform these services, and in particular to the Scottish Government ensuring that trans people truly are at the heart of decisions made to do so – something that is absolutely crucial to making sure that this framework delivers on its aims.”
Both the 2021 Programme for Government and Bute House Agreement, the co-operation deal with the Scottish Greens, committed to publishing a plan to transform gender identity services by the end of 2021.
The Scottish Budget for 2022 to 2023 allocated £2m for gender identity healthcare improvements, part of the planned £9m to be allocated over three years from 2022 onwards.
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