You may have seen reporting yesterday that the Sandyford Young Persons Gender Service for trans people ages 13-17 was no longer allocating new appointments to those on the waiting list.

While this was covered in the press and temporarily appeared on the Sandyford’s website, we have received confirmation that this is not the case, and that the Sandyford Young Persons Gender Service will continue to see new patients and accept referrals to their waiting list.

We received the following statement from the Sandyford:

We wish to assure you that the gender service for both young people and adults at Sandyford is very much open and we continue to accept referral to our waiting list. We are aware there has been some misinformation circulated in the press.

The service is under significant pressure due to the demand and we are experiencing staffing challenges so it does mean our waiting list will most likely increase. We are at the moment undertaking some recruitment into the service, but that will take several weeks before it will have an impact on our waiting times.

We apologise for an inconvenience or distress this may cause.

 

The Sandyford’s website notes that they are “currently facing significant challenges and these may affect our Gender service at Sandyford”, and that they will continue to publish up to date information about waiting lists on their site: https://www.sandyford.scot/sexual-health-services/gender-identity-service/ They note that these are affecting both their adult and young persons services.

If you have any questions about your care at the Sandyford Young Persons Gender Service, you can contact them at youngpeoplegender.sandyford@ggc.scot.nhs.uk, although they note it may take up to 2 weeks for them to reply.

If you are a trans young person in Scotland and need support, you can speak to a youth worker at LGBT Youth Scotland by texting 07786 202 370, emailing info@lgbtyouth.org.uk , or using the live chat feature on their website. You can find out more about contacting them here: https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/our-services-for-young-people-during-the-pandemic/