Minister concerned at gender identity healthcare waiting times

A minister says she is concerned by lengthy waiting times in gender identity healthcare for children and young people, pledging that improvements in the service will be made.

Public Health minister Jenni Minto also confirmed the Scottish Government would follow the MHRA decision to continue the pause on proscribing new puberty-blocking drugs.

On Tuesday, she updated MSPs on new standards for gender identity healthcare, including the implications of the Cass Review for Scotland.

Dr Hilary Cass’s review examined gender care services in England and criticised the lack of evidence around the use of puberty blockers and other medical interventions.

Following the review’s publication, two Scottish health boards – one of which covers the only gender clinic in the country for young people – decided to pause the prescription of puberty blockers to new patients.

Ms Minto began her statement by saying: “I would like to start by speaking directly to trans and non-binary young people in Scotland.

“I know waiting times to access the specialist services which provide support for gender dysphoria, alongside the ongoing changes to how these services are provided, are worrying for you and your families.”

She said “toxic” commentary online and in the media had amplified these worries.

Ms Minto said the government is taking action to address the “fragility” of gender identity healthcare and developing a sustainable longer-term model.

Some £4.4 million has been invested since December 2022, she said.

She also said new national standards have been published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the NHS.

In response to a question from Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher, the minister said the decision on puberty-blocking drugs is a reserved matter but the Scottish Government will follow the MHRA’s guidance on it.

Labour’s Dame Jackie Baillie said waiting times at the Sandyford clinic in Glasgow were four years for teenagers and five years for adults.

Ms Minto said: “I do find the waiting times concerning, which is why we have invested additional funding.”