Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on the current waiting time following referral for a first appointment at gender identity clinics; whether his Department is meeting the NHS-wide 18 week referral target for patients needing to see a clinician at a gender identity clinic; and what recent discussions he has had with NHS England on the necessary steps to increase provision of services for trans people and reduce waiting times; and if he will make a statement.

18 week Referral to Treatment waiting times for gender identity clinics is not routinely collected centrally.

NHS England has confirmed that routine reporting of waiting times for specialised gender identity clinics will be implemented during 2018/19.

NHS England consulted on gender identity services for adults in July 2017 and noted that ‘Demand for services has increased significantly in recent years, far exceeding capacity; waiting times are excessively high and are routinely in breach of NHS Constitution requirements (in many cases over 52 weeks for a first appointment)’.

There have been no recent meetings between NHS England and my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health surrounding transgender services.