Welsh Gender Service ready to welcome patients

Phase one of the Welsh Gender Service will be seeing the first patients in September as the Clinic, based in Cardiff, open its doors.

The Welsh Gender Team, run by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, has started to contact Welsh patients who are currently on the London Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) waiting list with the first clinic taking place on 20 September 2019.

The Welsh Gender Service is commissioned by Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) to provide a gender service for adults in Wales.

Patients who meet the criteria for the new service and are currently on the waiting list for the London GIC will be offered a choice as to whether they stay on the London list or accept an appointment with the Welsh Gender Service.

All new referrals to the Welsh Gender Service will now be under the new referral pathway where GPs can refer straight to the Welsh Gender Team. New referrals will join a waiting list with the Welsh Gender Service behind the existing patients that have been waiting for an appointment in London.

The new pathway in Wales also includes the development of Local Gender Teams in each Health Board area where patients will be reviewed once they have received their assessment from the Welsh Gender Team. The Local Gender Teams will be responsible for implementing the treatment plans and supporting patients in the community until they are fully stabilised on their medications, with their long term care and management then provided through a GP Direct Enhanced Service.

Len Richards, Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said “It is great news that the service will be opening for the trans community. I would like to thank the Welsh Gender Team for their hard work and commitment in getting the Service ready to see patients and also thank the community for their patience while the service has been developed.”

The Welsh Gender Service will continue to engage with stakeholders as the service develops and evolves to ensure the service meets the needs of the patient population.