Non-urgent advice: Adult waiting list validation exercise – Update
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 to them for their patience.
Admin Validation Exercise
We carried out an administrative validation exercise for people on the Adult Gender Service waiting list, which began on Monday 20th April 2026. The deadline for responses has now passed as of 20th July 2026.
We are pleased to note that the exercise has been successful in contacting most of our waiting list. However, there are still some patients that have not responded to our communication, and we are offering one final opportunity for those patients to come forward.
What you need to do now?
If you were expecting to hear from us and you were referred to the Adult Gender Service before August 2024, you have until 9th August 2026 to contact the service. Please contact us by emailing ggc.adult.genderservice@nhs.scot.
My referral was after August 2024, what does this mean for me?
The current exercise is focused on patients referred before August 2024. However, the service may contact you in the future as part of a validation process. Please ensure your contact details are kept up to date and notify us of any changes.
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 FAQ’s, where you will find detailed information and guidance for the next stage of the validation process.
If you need support while you wait If you feel you need help or support while you wait, please visit Support from other organisations.
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 is the Adult Gender Service carrying out this exercise?
The number of people waiting to access the Adult Gender Service has increased significantly in recent years, and waiting times are longer than we would like.
In April 2026, we began an administrative validation exercise to make sure our waiting list is accurate and reflects the people who still wish to access the service. The deadline for completing the exercise was 20th July 2026.
We are pleased to have received a response from the majority of people we contacted. We are providing one final opportunity for anyone who has not yet responded to confirm that they wish to remain or be removed from the waitlist.
Who needs to respond by 9th August 2026?
You should contact us if you were referred to the Sandyford Adult Gender Service before August 2024 and have not received an email/letter or SMS with the link to complete your response. The portal is now closed, therefore please email ggc.adult.genderservice@nhs.scot by the final deadline of 9th August 2026.
Please include your full name/referral name, date of birth, CHI number if known, and your current contact details. This will help us identify and update your record.
What do I need to do to remain on the waiting list?
You must contact us by 9th August 2026 and confirm that you still wish to access the Sandyford Adult Gender Service.
What will happen if I do not respond by 9 August 2026?
If we do not hear from you by 9th August 2026, we will presume you no longer wish to remain on the Adult Gender Service waiting list, and your referral will be discharged in line with NHS GGC’s Access Policy.
Should you wish to access the service in the future, you will need to contact your GP to discuss a new referral. Any new referral will be considered through the service’s usual referral process.
I have already responded. Do I need to contact you again?
No. If you have already confirmed whether you wish to remain on or be removed from the waiting list, you do not need to contact us again.
Please do not call or email the service simply to check whether your response has been received. This will allow staff to focus on processing the responses already submitted.
Will responding affect my place on the waiting list?
No. Confirming that you wish to remain on the waiting list will not change your original referral date or your position on the waiting list.
I was referred after August 2024. Do I need to do anything?
No action is required from you as part of the current exercise. This stage of the validation process is for people referred before August 2024. The service may contact you as part of a future validation exercise.
Please make sure that your GP and the Adult Gender Service have your correct contact details and let us know if these change.
I no longer need the Sandyford service. What should I do?
Please email ggc.adult.genderservice@nhs.scot and confirm that you no longer wish to remain on the waiting list.
This may be because your circumstances have changed, you no longer wish to access the service, or you are now receiving care from another Gender Identity Clinic.
Keeping us informed helps ensure that our waiting list is accurate and that available appointments can be offered appropriately.
I am now receiving care from another Gender Identity Clinic. What should I do?
If you are receiving care from another Gender Identity Clinic and no longer need to remain on the Sandyford waiting list, please email us and ask to be removed.
Please include the name and location of the clinic currently supporting you.
Does this exercise apply to people already receiving care from Sandyford?
This exercise is only for people who are waiting to begin, or to be assessed for, gender-related care with our Service.
Can you tell me my waiting-list position or appointment date?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual information about:
· Your position on the waiting list;
· When you may be offered an appointment; or
· Clinical advice or treatment.
This is an administrative exercise and does not include a clinical assessment.
We understand that waiting can be difficult. However, contacting the service will not allow staff to provide a more accurate appointment date or waiting-list position.
What if my name or contact details are incorrect?
Please email ggc.adult.genderservice@nhs.scot with:
· Your full name;
· Your date of birth;
· Your CHI number, if known;
· Your current contact details; and
· Details of the information that needs to be corrected.
The name shown in previous correspondence may be the name held on your record when you first joined the waiting list.
What if I need support to respond?
You may ask a trusted friend, family member, carer or support worker to help you understand the information and provide your response.
Wherever possible, the decision about whether to remain on the waiting list should be made by you.
What happens after I confirm that I wish to remain?
We will update your waiting-list record to confirm that you still wish to access the service.
You will be contacted again as part of the second stage of the validation process. Further information and service updates will be published on the Sandyford Adult Gender Service website.