The NHS Gender Identity Services Strategy Action Framework has been backed by a £9 million investment which will help improve access to and delivery of NHS gender identity services.
The framework will look to improve waiting times, support people who are awaiting care access, develop national standards of services and improve data collection.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “This ambitious framework demonstrates our commitment to improve access to and delivery of gender identity healthcare.
“We want to reduce the unacceptable waits to access gender identity services and provide sustainable services and support.
“I am determined that through working with people using these services, organisations representing trans people, clinical groups and NHS Boards we will transform these services and improve the lives of trans people living in Scotland.”
A National Gender Identity Healthcare Reference Group will be established early next year and will oversee the Framework and all operations. Amongst clinicians and academics, people who have used gender identity healthcare will also be included in the Group to help shape the future of the services.
Scottish Trans Alliance Manager Vic Valentine said: “We warmly welcome this strategic action framework, which alongside crisis funding also provides the foundations for making long lasting, significant change to gender identity healthcare that is so desperately needed.
“Trans people deserve to live happy, healthy lives, and to have access to the healthcare we need to make this possible. We look forward to contributing to work to transform these services, and in particular to the Scottish Government ensuring that trans people truly are at the heart of decisions made to do so – something that is absolutely crucial to making sure that this framework delivers on its aims.”
The Scottish government released their budget earlier this month and had set out a £2 million budget towards gender identity healthcare. This will form part of the £9 million announced today, which will be allocated over the next three years stating in 2022.
