Over recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of people contacting our Adult Gender Service for support, advice, and treatment. Unfortunately, we are experiencing longer waiting times than we would like.
We know that waiting for care can be difficult, and we acknowledge the frustration, anxiety, and uncertainty that this can cause. We are sorry to those waiting, and we are grateful for your patience.
Admin Validation Exercise
People’s circumstances can change over time, and it’s important that the information we hold is accurate and up to date. To help ensure this, we are carrying out an administration validation exercise beginning Monday 20 April 2026.
Everyone currently on the Adult Gender Service waiting list will be contacted (by text, email or letter depending on your contact preference) with a short questionnaire. This will ask you to:
- Let us know whether you wish to remain on the waiting list
- Let us know whether you wish to be removed from the waiting list.
What you need to do
If you receive this text message/email/letter, please respond within 14 days.
Reminder texts/emails/letters will be sent during this period. If we do not hear from you, please be assured that we will make further attempts to contact you before making any changes to your status on the list.
What we cannot provide at this stage
This exercise is purely administrative. We are unable to answer individual questions about:
- Your position on the waiting list
- When you may be offered an appointment
- Any clinical matters
To ensure fairness and consistency, we ask that you do not contact the service directly about the validation exercise.
Instead, please take time to read our Frequently Asked Questions, where you will find detailed information and guidance.
If you need support while you wait
If you feel you need help or support while you wait, please visit Adult gender service – Sandyford where you will find information about organisations available.
Our commitment to you
We remain committed to providing the best possible service to anyone seeking gender identity healthcare. We appreciate your support in responding to our communications during this process. Your cooperation helps us ensure that our service is accurate and ready to move forward as efficiently as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Why has the Gender Service contacted me about the waiting list?
We’re contacting everyone who has registered with the service to ask if they want to remain on the waiting list.
Can I speak to someone from the gender team if I have questions about this process?
This is a routine administrative process, and we cannot answer individual questions regarding waiting list position, appointment timelines or clinical matters at this stage. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Do I have to respond to the message from the Gender Service? How long will I have to do so?
Yes. It is important that you respond if you wish to remain on the waiting list.
Everyone currently on the Adult Gender Service waiting list will be contacted (by text, email or letter depending on your contact preference) with a short questionnaire. This will ask you to:
- Let us know whether you wish to remain on the waiting list
- Let us know whether you wish to be removed from the waiting list.
If you receive a text / email or letter from the Gender Service, please respond within 14 days. Reminder texts will be sent during this period in line with NHS GGC Access Policy. If we do not hear from you, please be assured that we will make further attempts to contact you.
Please do not send us more than one response to the questionnaire.
Due to the number of people on the waiting list, we are unable to respond to each reply individually. If you have replied within 14 days, no further action is needed from you. Please be reassured that we will update your information as we process each response.
What happens after I respond?
When you respond we will update the information we hold about you on our waiting list.
If you have replied within 14 days, no further action is needed from you. Due to the number of people on the waiting list, we are unable to respond to each reply individually. But please be reassured that we will update your information as we process each response.
Later in the year we will be sending everyone that wishes to remain on the waiting list a further communication to help us assess what support needs you may have while you wait.
What if I move area, Health Board, or GP?
People move for many different reasons. If you have moved and you still want to remain on the waiting list, it’s important that you let us know when this happens so we can keep your details up to date. Please access our website for information about how to update your details:
I registered for the Gender Service but haven’t heard from you. What should I do?
We are contacting people on the waiting list in stages. If you are on the waiting list and have not received any communication from us by the 1st of June 2026, please get in touch by following this link:
I’ve been removed from the waiting list because I didn’t respond, but I still need the service. What now?
Please contact us via: Adult gender service – Sandyford
I was asked to stay on the Young Person’s waiting list before. Why am I being asked again?
Now that you are 18 or older, you have been transferred to the adult gender identity service, which is separate from the young person’s service. We need to collect your most up-to-date details to make sure we support you appropriately.
I moved from the Young Person’s list to the adult list. Will this change my waiting time?
Your original referral date will be kept. However, waiting times for the adult service differ from those for the young person’s service, so your overall wait may change as a result.
Will this affect my place on the waiting list?
No. Your place on the waiting list is not affected.
When will I get an appointment?
We’re unable to give individual timescales for appointments. We understand this uncertainty can be difficult, and we’re sorry for the wait. We ask that you please don’t contact the service directly to ask about timelines, as our staff can’t provide this information.
What is the service doing to reduce waiting times for the adult service?
We know waiting can be difficult and we are taking steps to address this. The waiting list validation is part of this.
English isn’t my first language. How can I take part?
We want everyone to be able to participate in this process. If you require the information in other languages, visit: Other languages and interpreters – Sandyford
I need additional support to respond. What should I do?
If you feel able, you could ask a trusted friend, family member, or support worker to help you.
If you have specific needs or barriers that make responding difficult, please let us know so we can advise you on available options
What happens to my information? (Privacy Statement)
Who should use this form
This exercise is only for people who are currently on the waiting list to be seen at the Adult Gender Service within Sandyford, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. You will have joined the waitlist via either a self-referral or third-party referral via Community Mental Health Team or your GP.
What personal information will be collected and why?
You will be asked if you wish to remain or be removed from the Adult Gender Waitlist. We will not ask you to provide any personal information at this time. Once you have answered the short questionnaire, we will update your record on our Patient Record System.
If you complete this questionnaire and are not a registered patient with the Adult Gender Service, then your entry will be destroyed, and no information will be stored.
Do I need to log in to the site?
You don’t need an account to use this site. We do not ask you to make or store a password.
How we protect personal information
We take care to ensure your personal information is only accessible to authorised people. Our staff have a legal and contractual duty to keep personal health information secure, and confidential. The following security measures are in place to protect personal information:
- All staff undertake mandatory training in Data Protection and IT Security
- Compliance with NHS Scotland Information Security Policy
- Organisational policy and procedures on the safe handling of personal information
- Access controls and audits of electronic system
For more information on how NHS GGC handle your date visit: www.nhsggc.scot/patient-visitor-faqs/data-protection-privacy
I’m unhappy about being contacted. How can I raise a concern?
You are welcome to submit a complaint if you wish. Our complaints policy can be found at: Complaints – NHSGGC
What Happens Next?
If you wish to remain on the waiting list, you will be contacted to take part in the second part of the waiting list validation. Updates about this will be on our website Adult gender service – Sandyford