A framework to improve access to and delivery of NHS gender
identity services, backed by £9 million investment has been
published by the Scottish government.
The NHS Gender Identity Services Strategic Action Framework
fulfils commitments in the Programme for Government and Bute
House Agreement to publish a plan to improve gender identity
healthcare in Scotland by the end of 2021. Actions in the
framework include:
- improving waiting times and providing new multidisciplinary
models of care
- supporting people who are waiting to access services
- developing national standards for services and improving data
collection.
Public Health Minister said:
“This ambitious framework demonstrates our commitment to improve
access to and delivery of gender identity healthcare.
“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.”
Scottish Government Minister and Scottish Green Party Co-Leader
said:
“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. We must continue to include the voices and
expertise of trans people, as well as clinicians, academics, NHS
Boards and LGBTI organisations in the work to improve these
services.”
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. 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.”
Background
NHS gender identity
services: strategic action framework 2022-2024
A National Gender Identity Healthcare Reference Group will be
established in early 2022 to oversee implementation of the
Framework’s actions. The Group will include people who have used
gender identity healthcare as well as clinicians, academics, NHS
Boards and LGBTI organisations.
The 2021 Programme for
Government and the Bute House
Agreement both committed to publishing a plan to
transform gender identity services by end of 2021. Also committed
to was three years of centralised funding to improve gender
identity healthcare.
The Scottish Budget for 2022 to
2023 was published on 9 December 2021. £2 million was
allocated in the budget for gender identity healthcare
improvements in 22/23. This is part of the planned £9 million to
be allocated over three years from 2022.
