Trans rights charity TransActual has called on the Welsh Government to urgently restore access to gender-affirming surgeries after NHS Wales paused surgical referrals for trans adults through the Welsh Gender Service.
The move has sparked concern among campaigners, who say the decision has left hundreds of patients facing uncertainty, including some whose operations were reportedly halted after they had already been admitted to hospital.
NHS Wales announced the suspension in an update published by the Welsh Gender Service last week, following scrutiny of referral rates for gender-affirming surgery in Wales compared with England.
TransActual has criticised the decision, arguing that it appears to be based on concerns over higher referral numbers rather than evidence of patient safety issues.
Chay Brown, Healthcare Director at TransActual, said trans people in Wales were being "profoundly let down" by the decision. "Trans people accessing surgical care through the Welsh Gender Service are being profoundly let down by NHS Wales here, and Welsh ministers need to act urgently to make things right," he said.
"The decision to cancel surgeries as people are already in their hospital bed, after extensive assessment, is cruel and seems to be based purely on insinuations about higher referral rates in Wales.
"With so many trans people in England forced to go private, it's hardly surprising that the Welsh service that delivers quicker, better care will have higher numbers of people using it."
According to TransActual, the suspension affects patients who have already undergone extensive clinical assessments, received recommendations from two independent doctors and been accepted for surgery by specialist surgical teams.
The organisation says some patients had their procedures placed on hold at the point they were due to take place, despite having completed all stages of the referral process.
Campaigners argue that comparisons with England fail to account for significant differences in waiting times. While many trans people in England face lengthy waits for NHS gender identity services and often turn to private healthcare, advocates say Welsh patients have generally been able to access treatment more quickly through the Welsh Gender Service.
TransActual described the suspension as an "extraordinary step", saying it had been introduced before any formal patient safety investigation had taken place.
The charity has written to both NHS Wales and the Welsh Government, urging them to prioritise patient care and reverse the decision.
The Welsh Gender Service said in its latest update that a review of surgical referrals is underway. Further details can be found in the NHS Wales statement published on the service's website.
TransActual is calling on ministers to ensure that trans people across Wales can continue to access surgical care without further delays, warning that the suspension risks causing significant distress to those who have already spent years navigating the healthcare system.
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