Gender Dysphoria Waiting Times 2023-04-25
2023-04-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is inquiring about the average waiting time for treatment for gender dysphoria, highlighting a lack of published data on this issue.
If he will make an estimate of the average waiting time for treatment for gender dysphoria; and if he will make a statement.
NHS England does not routinely collect or publish data on waiting times for treatment for gender dysphoria, but I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that as of February this year 28,290 adults were waiting for a first appointment in England.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide an estimate or statement on average waiting times.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is raising concerns about the Government's actions regarding healthcare for transgender people, including delays in treatment, plans to remove protections from the Equality Act, breaking promises on conversion therapy bans, and threatening measures against schools.
Four years on average for an initial appointment, and seven years at the south-west clinic in Exeter. With healthcare for trans people in effect non-existent, the Government planning to remove trans human rights from the Equality Act 2010, breaking their promise to ban conversion therapy and to reform the gender recognition process, and now threatening to force schools to out trans students to their parents, can the Minister see why this tiny and particularly vulnerable minority feels under attack by the Government, and that some who can afford to are even leaving the country for a less hostile environment?
I can reassure the right hon. Gentleman that we are putting an additional £7.9 million into four new pilot gender identity clinics, because we want services to improve and waiting times to come down. The four new pilot services are now operating in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside, East of England and London, and a new clinic will be opening in Sussex later this year. The four pilot studies have already removed 3,400 patients from the waiting list and I am hoping the fifth clinic will go further.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address concerns about removal of protections under Equality Act or breaking promises.
Response accuracy