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 would reckon that most patients needs more than one appointment. And then all the time of Angus’ workday is probably not spent on appointments, even if he works full time in the gender clinic.
Angus is doing his best but he simply can’t keep up with the workload.