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Transgender People: Provision of Healthcare
16 December 2025
Lead MP
Rachel Taylor
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Lab
Responding Minister
Karin Smyth
Tags
NHSSafeguarding & DBS
Word Count: 10205
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Rachel Taylor raised concerns about transgender people: provision of healthcare in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Taylor urges the government to address the lack of local provision and discrimination in NHS services for transgender people. She calls for better monitoring and regulation for those relying on private providers due to inadequate NHS support.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
One of Rachel Taylor's constituents faced discrimination at her GP practice, including being misgendered and not allowed to use women’s toilets. The constituent is also struggling to access gender-affirming care due to long waiting lists. Across the UK, more than 48,000 trans adults are on waiting lists for gender-affirming healthcare with waits as long as 58 years in Scotland.
Carla Denyer
Green
Bristol Central
Called for reconsideration of the ban on puberty blockers and raised concerns about the size limitations imposed on the pathways trial, questioning whether it is truly uncapped as previously stated.
Danny Beales
Lab
Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Asked about the inclusion of transgender patients in NHS waiting time targets and raised concerns over GPs refusing shared care agreements, affecting hormone prescriptions.
Southend West and Leigh
Congratulated the hon. Member for North Warwickshire and Bedworth on introducing the debate, highlighting the need to treat trans people as human beings deserving of dignity and autonomy.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Declared an interest as an NHS consultant paediatrician who has cared for individuals with gender dysphoria, emphasizing the need to provide the best healthcare based on evidence and need.
Emily Darlington
Lab
Milton Keynes Central
Darlington highlights a case of a young transgender person in her constituency who has aged out of the under-18s waiting list, potentially facing an eight-year wait for care.
Graeme Downie
Lab
Dunfermline and Dollar
Downie discusses concerns about the safety of transgender individuals in his constituency and agrees with Taylor on the necessity to work with police across the UK for better security measures.
Helen Morgan
LD
North Shropshire
Supported better specialist healthcare services for individuals struggling with their gender identity, emphasizing the unacceptable long waiting times experienced by young people and adults. Urged the Minister to establish a solid timeline for new regional NHS clinics.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Emphasized the impact on parents and children due to media hostility and highlighted fears regarding the banning of puberty-blocking drugs for transgender youth.
Josh Newbury
Lab
Cannock Chase
Supports the call for embedding support and guidance for families in gender-affirming care.
Karin Smyth
Lab
Bristol South
Met Dr Sullivan to understand her report and its impact on the Department of Health and NHS England, confirming each department is reviewing recommendations.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Reported on discrimination in general medical care for trans people and long waiting times for gender-affirming care. Called for serious reforms and increased funding from the Government.
Oliver Ryan
Lab/Co-op
Burnley
Argues that healthcare is a right for all citizens including transgender people, highlighting delays in NHS appointments and the impact on trans individuals' lives. Emphasises need for support and guidance for families of trans children.
Rachel Taylor
Con
Solihull
Thanked everyone for their contributions and welcomed the Minister's commitment to first-class healthcare for transgender people, including the Brady review and Waiting Well pilot.
Rebecca Smith
Con
South West Devon
Smith questions if Taylor agrees with the NHS's call for evidence regarding a clinical pathway for adults who wish to detransition. Taylor responds by welcoming services for those people but emphasizing that all services need improvement.
Stella Creasy
Lab/Co-op
Walthamstow
Highlights work in Walthamstow to ensure trans people access healthcare, paying tribute to local community members and clinicians working on the issue. Asks for Minister's support for local clinicians.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
Discussed the challenges in accessing trans healthcare, highlighting long waiting lists and limited treatment options. Emphasised that trans people deserve equal access to healthcare.
Vikki Slade
LD
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Discussed the importance of clarity around puberty blockers for young transgender individuals, highlighting that these treatments are not permanent but rather to delay puberty and allow time for further assessment. Addressed the issue of puberty blockers being ineffective once a certain age is reached and highlighted cases where NHS care was denied despite prescriptions, urging the Minister to address these issues.
Government Response
Karin Smyth
The Minister for Secondary Care
Government Response
The Minister affirms that everyone in the country deserves access to first-class healthcare and highlights the NHS's commissioning of a health evidence review led by Dr Michael Brady, aimed at understanding LGBT healthcare needs. The findings of the evidence review are expected to be finalised next year. She also mentions improvements in specialist gender services for children, young people, and adults, including an increase from seven to 12 adult gender dysphoria clinics since July 2020. A new Waiting Well pilot is tendered to support those facing long waits for appointments. Emphasised that NHS England will improve adult gender services based on Dr David Levy's review, which will be published soon. Acknowledged the Cass review’s recommendations on children and young people’s care and noted plans to open new services across regions by 2026-27, aiming to reduce waiting times. Discussed puberty blockers and established a clinical trial for understanding hormone effects, prioritising safeguarding children's health. Highlighted government measures against inequality and commitment to evidence-based healthcare.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.