Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons why annual referrals to adult gender clinics have doubled since 2022–23; and whether they have made an assessment of the impact of social media and educational settings on referral patterns of young people.

The review into the operation and delivery of NHS Adult Gender Dysphoria Clinics (GDCs), led by Dr Levy, was published on 18 December 2025 and undertook a comprehensive examination of all nine National Health Service-commissioned adult GDCs in England. The review specifically considered issues of access to clinics, reviewing both the volume of referrals and the length of waiting times for initial assessment and treatment. Dr Levy identified that waiting times for first appointments remain lengthy, with a significant increase in the number of people awaiting assessment, as annual referrals have doubled since 2022/23. The review attributed these extended waits to several factors, including improved reporting as more clinics have joined the national system, as well as a backlog from referrals deferred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The review also set out that surgery waiting times also contribute to the problem, as some masculinising procedures have waits of approximately eight to nine years. As a result, many patients require extra GDC appointments because the current service specification mandates follow-up reviews every six months for those waiting for surgery.

NHS England has established a National Portfolio Board, in line with Dr Levy’s recommendation, to build and develop a full implementation plan. This will address each of the review’s recommendations in turn and be aligned with the ambitions of the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England.

Baroness Cass’s Independent Cass Review of Gender Identity Services for children and young people published in 2024 and observed social factors, including social media and links with children and young people experiencing gender dysphoria.