As is the case across NHSGGC our services are currently facing significant challenges and these may affect our Gender service at Sandyford.  We apologise for any inconvenience and distress this may cause, and we wish to reassure you that all our services are open. Email enquiries will be dealt with but may take up to 2 weeks. If you are concerned about your mental health, please see the green box below for how to access mental health support.
There is no change to the service for those who are already attending the Young Persons Gender Service.
We wish to assure you that our small dedicated team are doing everything they can to continue to support our young people and the service pressures are being reviewed by the health board and nationally. In the meantime, we have up to date information regarding the waiting list available on this page. We very much hope we are able to update the website with positive news in the near future.

As is the case across NHSGGC our services are currently facing significant challenges and these may affect our Gender service at Sandyford.  We apologise for any inconvenience and distress this may cause, and we wish to reassure you that all our services are open. Email enquiries will be dealt with but may take up to 2 weeks.

We are sorry that the waiting list for a new appointment is extremely long and wish to assure you that our small dedicated team are doing everything they can to offer the best possible service and the service pressures are being reviewed by the health board and nationally.
If you are concerned about your mental health, please see below for how to access mental health support
There is no change to the service for those who are already attending the GGC Adult Gender Service.
In the meantime, we have up to date information regarding the waiting list available on this page. We very much hope we are able to update the website with positive news in the near future.

Management of Patients on Out of Stock Testosterone Preparations Prescribed as Gender Affirming Hormone Treatment.

Various forms of testosterone can be used as masculinising hormone treatment for transgender and gender diverse individuals. General prescribing advice is available on the National Gender Identity Clinical Network for Scotland website.

Patients wishing to switch medication because of supply problems should contact their GP practice in the first instance. The practice’s prescribing support pharmacist may have information about the supply chain and they may be able to find a similar product. Information on alternative options is provided below. Contact your gender service if you need further advice or assistance with switching.

Sustanon® Injection 250mg/ml

The advantages of Sustanon® are that it is the only product in the UK that is specifically licensed for use as gender affirming hormone treatment, and it can be administered at home, usually into the thigh, by the patient or a partner/family member who have been taught intramuscular injection technique. Patients who prefer to continue on a medium-acting or a home-administered injection may switch temporarily to testosterone enantate 250mg/ml at the same dose and injection interval. Testosterone enantate is rarely used as a long term treatment because it is slightly shorter acting and more expensive than Sustanon®.

Patients willing to switch to gel or Nebido® injection should be encouraged to do so, as these preparations are associated with less fluctuation in testosterone levels, more even mood, and lower risk of blood clots. The gender service can provide help with monitoring until the optimal dose is established.

Nebido Injection 1000mg/4ml

Nebido is a long-acting (approximately 12-16 weekly) injection containing testosterone undecanoate. Other testosterone undecanoate brands exist but Nebido® is the only brand marketed in the UK. Nebido must be administered by an appropriately trained person into the buttock muscle. Most patients on Nebido® will have started on a gel or Sustanon®. They can go back onto their previous dose. When starting back on Nebido® they may wish to have the first two injections 6 weeks apart, then resume their previous dose and injection interval.

Testosterone Gel

As there are several different brands of gel it will usually be possible to supply a different brand. Different brands of gel have different concentrations, and care should be taken to change the dosage instructions accordingly (see table 2 on p.10 and appendix 4 on p.33 of the Endocrine Guidance 

Contact the Adult or Young People’s Gender Service at Sandyford if you require further advice: adultgender.sandyford@ggc.scot.nhs.uk / youngpeoplegender.sandyford@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

1. Your full birth name (e.g. John Smith)
2. The name you wish to use on our system, if you have changed or do not use your birth name (e.g. Jane Smith)
3. Your date of birth
4. Your CHI number (you can get this number from your GP practice)
5. Your current address (we will not send correspondence to your home address if you do not want us to)
6. Your mobile phone number, home phone number, or both
7. The name of your current GP and the GP practice you are registered with (we will not contact them if you don't want us to)
8. If it is ok for us to contact you on your phone number - please say yes or no
9. If it is ok for us to contact you on your email address - please say yes or no
10. If it is ok for us to send letters to your home address - please say yes or no
11. If it is ok for us to copy letters to your GP or send correspondence to your GP about your treatment here - please say yes or no
12. If it would be ok for us to contact you for research purposes - please say yes or no

1. Your full birth name (e.g. John Smith)
2. The name you wish to use on our system, if you have changed or do not use your birth name (e.g. Jane Smith)
3. Your date of birth
4. Your CHI number. You can get this number from your GP practice
5. Your current address (we will not send correspondence to your home address if you do not want us to)
6. Your mobile phone number, home phone number, or both
7. The name of your current GP and the GP practice you are registered with (we will not contact them if you don't want us to)
8. If it is ok for us to contact you on your phone number -please say yes or no
9. If it is ok for us to contact you on your email address - please say yes or no
10. If it is ok for us to send letters to your home address - please say yes or no
11. If it is ok for us to copy letters to your GP or send correspondence to your GP about your treatment here - please say yes or no
12. If it would be ok for us to contact you for research purposes - please say yes or no
13. What kind of help would you/young person like to get from attending the Young Person’s Gender Identity Service?
14. Are there any other services currently involved with you/young person (for example CAMHS, Social Work etc.)?