Home » HealthCARE »
All trans people deserve healthcare that supports us to make well informed decisions about our transitions, our bodies and lives. Right now, many trans people are waiting years to access gender identity services. When we are finally offered appointments, too many of us experience long travel distances, frustrating inconsistences and lack of person-centred care. Action must be taken to improve transition healthcare!
The Scottish Government introduced a ‘strategic action framework’ to improve gender identity services in December 2021.
We’ve put together this guide to talk you through the 17 commitments in the framework, and break down what each of them meant and what’s happened so far.
Now that the framework has finished, it’s clear that the Scottish Government’s aim to ‘transform’ these services hasn’t been achieved. So, throughout this guide, you’ll also see our thoughts on what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what more there is to do – as well as ways that you can be involve in pushing for change.
As part of that framework, Scottish Trans hosted a Lived Experience Coordinator, whose role is all about connecting trans people to the different pieces of working happening to try and improve gender identity services as part of the framework.
Even though the framework has ended, Scottish Trans still hosts this role – there is still much more to be done and it’s important that trans and non-binary people continue to have their voices heard in the process.
You can sign up to their mailing list, where you’ll get updates on the work that is happening and more importantly, hear about opportunities to have your voice heard through consultations, surveys, and events: https://mailchi.mp/1433465edfd0/lived-experience-coordinator-mailing-list
Our healthcare should provide the person-centred information and support we need to live our happiest, healthiest lives. We should be empowered to work collaboratively with healthcare professionals to explore what makes our lives more liveable. Not made to jump through hoops to fit into narrow stereotypes. We need trust in order to reflect on uncertainties and not feel under pressure to hide aspects of ourselves.
No matter who you are or where you live, you should have good access to healthcare. There should be more places transition healthcare is delivered, and telephone and video appointments should be provided smoothly. Transition related care should meet the needs of everyone, including people who face additional barriers to accessing healthcare such as disabled trans people, minority ethnic trans people, homeless trans people, and older trans people.
The long waiting times measured in years are not ok – waiting times measure in decades are disgraceful. And it’s not just the initial waiting times that are the problem. Once people get their first appointment they are met with waiting times between appointments, a lack of communication and confusing pathways through the service. Our healthcare is important and must be properly funded and resourced. The current system of four GICs trying to meet the needs of all trans and non-binary people in Scotland can’t continue. More health boards need to start providing this care so that our community can be seen quicker and closer to home.
Too much of our healthcare is delivered by psychiatrists and isolated specialist services when it doesn’t need to be. Let’s change the system and make sure that more healthcare professionals like nurses, GPs and sexual health practitioners can deliver effective transition healthcare. We need our health service to treat trans people as regular patients – some of our needs are complex, many are simple.
We want the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland to explore new ways of delivering transition healthcare that aim to make sure we can truly get the care we need and deserve. Read about pilot services in England that are doing things differently:
In London, the TransPlus service is delivered in a specialist sexual health clinic that has a history of delivering trans specific services.
Also in London, The Bridge is a Primary Care clinic that offers gender affirming care such as shared care agreements and bridging prescriptions.
In Manchester, the Indigo Gender Service is delivered mostly by GPs, in partnership with LGBT organisations.
In Merseyside, the Transcend service is more similar to a Gender Identity Clinic (GIC), but focused on being a collaboration between GPs, specialists and trans communities.
In Cambridge, the East of England Gender Service acts as a satellite service of the Nottingham GIC, offering services to people who live in the East of England who are on waiting lists for GICs.
In the South West of England, Waiting Well is a new service from Gendered Intelligence and LGBT Foundation aimed at providing support for people on waiting lists for GICs through peer support groups, practical workshops and information.
30 Bernard Street Edinburgh EH6 6PR
+44 (0)131 467 6039 info@scottishtrans.org
Scottish Trans is part of the Equality Network
Scottish Trans is the Equality Network project to improve gender identity and gender reassignment equality, rights and inclusion in Scotland. The Equality Network is a leading Scottish lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality and human rights charity.
The Equality Network is a registered Scottish charity: SC037852, and a company limited by guarantee: SC220213.
We are grateful for funding from the Scottish Government
