Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the equality implications of waiting times for Gender Identity Clinic services.

In 2023, the High Court, via AA v NHS Commissioning Board, considered NHS England's approach for responding to the imbalance between demand and capacity for specialised gender services, including with reference to the Equality Act 2010. The High Court found that NHS England was making strenuous efforts to reduce waiting times and that there was no direct or indirect discrimination caused to individuals with a protected characteristic.

As of 31 March 2026, 25,456 individuals were waiting more than 24 months.

The duty of care owed by a healthcare professional to an individual patient under their care will be described in various professional guidance documents, such as the General Medical Council's Good Medical Practice.