In our analysis, which uses figures from March 2024 to March 2025 painstakingly put together through a series of FOIs, we can show the average estimated waiting time to access an initial appointment at a gender clinic is now 25 years across the UK. Examining different regions sees this change dramatically, with worse results in both Scotland and Northern Ireland – where some people will wait as long as six decades to get help.
The national picture shows waiting times that far exceed the NHS’s recommended maximum of 18 weeks. But drilling down into the data reveals huge disparities across the UK.
In England, the average waiting time for a first appointment stands at 12 years. In Wales, it’s two years. People in Scotland face a lifetime of waiting, with an average wait time of 58 years. In contrast, Northern Ireland has seen a significant ‘improvement’ in waiting times: Trans+ people will now face an average wait time of 41 years, down from 151 years the last time this data was collected.
Disgustingly cruel
I’m reminded of the TTRPG some British trans person wrote where the goal is to become an undead creature in order to get to the top of the waiting list and actually get your gender clinic appointment. A good satire of a horrible situation.