The Scottish Greens have called on ministers to take urgent action to tackle what they describe as “outrageous” waiting times for trans people seeking NHS healthcare.
Scottish Greens Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill MSP has written to First Minister John Swinney and Health Secretary Neil Gray, warning that the current system is failing thousands of trans and non-binary people across Scotland.
In her letter, Kinross-O’Neill cites data from Public Health Scotland and analysis by Scottish Trans which suggests people joining some gender identity clinic waiting lists today could face waits of between 160 and 660 years if current appointment rates remain unchanged.
According to the figures, more than 4,000 people are currently on waiting lists while some services are offering as few as six to 24 first appointments a year.
The Greens MSP said the situation meant many people were unlikely ever to receive the care they need.
“Our NHS should work for all of us, but these waiting times are outrageous,” she said.
“It is heartbreaking that so many trans people are being left waiting years for the healthcare they need, with many facing the prospect of never reaching the front of the queue.
“For others, if they do ever get an appointment, it is often a long way from where they live and with little access to local support in the meantime.”
Kinross-O’Neill said the issue came at a time when many LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans people, felt increasingly under pressure.
“The last few years have been incredibly difficult for LGBTQ+ people,” she said.
“Trans people in particular have seen their rights rolled back while cynical and reactionary politicians have sought to scapegoat, demonise and ridicule them for who they are.
“The Scottish Government must act to cut these unacceptable waiting times and ensure everyone can access the healthcare they are entitled to.”
In her letter, the MSP said constituents in Edinburgh and the Lothians had raised concerns about the length of waits for gender-affirming healthcare, describing the figures as “heartbreaking”.
She argued that Scotland’s current model, which relies on just four gender identity clinics (GICs) to serve the entire country, was no longer fit for purpose.
“Scotland’s current system of having just four GICs trying to meet the needs of all trans and non-binary people who need gender-affirming care simply isn’t working,” she wrote.
Kinross-O’Neill highlighted particular concerns about Sandyford Gender Identity Clinic in Glasgow, which serves patients from around half of Scotland’s health boards and has some of the longest waiting lists in the country.
She called for an “emergency response” from health boards across Scotland and urged ministers to outline how they plan to improve access to trans healthcare.
“I would be grateful if you can advise how the Scottish Government is working to improve immediate access to trans healthcare and what assurances you can make to trans and non-binary Scots that this care will be collaborative, accessible, resourced and equal for all,” she wrote.
The intervention adds to growing concern from campaigners and LGBTQ+ organisations over delays in accessing gender-affirming healthcare, with long waiting times continuing to be a major issue across Scotland's NHS services.
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