Stark drop in number of trans people starting transition in Glasgow
Figures show 331 people had their first appointment back in 2019, but that number fell to 50 in 2023.
Last updated 7th Jan 2024
There is a warning trans people across Greater Glasgow and Clyde are being forced to spend thousands of pounds to go private to get their first appointment with a doctor.
A Freedom of Information request submitted to the health board shows 331 people had their first appointment about starting gender affirming surgery back in 2019.
That figure dropped to just 50 last year.
Andrew Henderson runs a sports blog called Pride of the Terraces and told Clyde 1: "People struggling with their gender identity need immediate help to overcome the dysphoria and internal struggle they are feeling.
"There is very little clinic time available in Glasgow compared to other health boards, but there also seems to be a lot of challenges recruiting for the Sandyford health clinic.
"Staff working there tell me there are a lot of vacancies, but there is a very specialist set of skills required for staff to come in and start improving the situation."
The current longest waiting time for someone to see a doctor in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is also sitting at 5 years and 5 months.
At NHS Lothian, the figure is 23 months and in the Highlands it is just under two and a half years.
Andrew added: "Far too many people are already at risk and suffering from poor mental health because they feel isolated and alone.
"It could lead to a lot of trans people dying as a result of not being able to cope.
"Gender affirming treatment is life saving."
A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "As is the case throughout the country, services across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – including gender services at the Sandyford Clinic – are under considerable pressure and we would like to apologise to anyone has had to wait longer than expected for appointments.
"Our staff are doing all they can to address these challenges, and we would like to thank them for their continuing commitment and professionalism.
"Gender services is a complex specialty which demands a particular set of clinical skills and other qualities from staff, and we are currently facing specific challenges around recruitment in some areas.
"We have taken a range of steps to recruit the right staff to the gender service, using channels such as professional publications, general media and social media."