We use limited cookies
We use cookies where necessary to allow us to understand how people interact with our website and content, so that we can continue to improve our service.
View our privacy policyThe NHS commissions Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) to provide specialist assessment, consultation and care for children and young people to help reduce the distressing feelings of a mismatch between their assigned sex and their gender identity.
The NHS has a legal obligation to see those referred to Gender Identity Development Service within 18 weeks. But the average waiting time is 18 months. In some shocking reports, young people are waiting for up to four years for a first appointment. Not to get what the NHS describes as fully reversible puberty blockers but to begin the process of being assessed for eligibility for puberty blockers.
Children are losing the opportunity to be seen within a window in which they can secure effective treatment. They are, in practice, being denied access to treatments which are correlated with improved mental health and reduced suicide risk.
Whatever your views about the right treatment regime for young people with gender dysphoria, it can’t be right that they face lengthy waiting lists just to have a first appointment with a specialist. That’s why Good Law Project and one of the teenagers affected have initiated a legal challenge to ensure NHS England meets its obligation to children and young people
This case will be our first case of many to protect this most disadvantaged – and discriminated against – of communities.
Good Law Project only exists thanks to donations from people across the UK. We are incredibly grateful to all of our supporters, without whom our work would not be possible.
Every single penny that we receive makes a huge difference to our ability to hold those in power to account and demand a better, fairer future.
If you’re in a position to support our work, you can do so here. Thank you
Support us nowAs well as our own research, Good Law Project relies on people like you to let us know when there’s an issue that needs our attention.
We’ve got detailed and clear instructions how you can anonymously and securely send us information and documents
Find out more