Equity has written to the Welsh Government following the temporary pause to the surgical pathway through the Welsh Gender Service, seeking clarification about the process and raising concerns about the impact of the pause on working people waiting for treatment.
The NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee (NWJCC) paused new referrals for gender-affirming surgery, surgical assessments and scheduled surgery while an urgent independent clinical review is undertaken. The decision was taken at the end of August, reportedly because of much higher referral rates than in England, and has since been the subject of significant publicity and questioning. Equity has also written to the NWJCC. Non-surgical treatments, including hormone therapy and psychological support, are not impacted and have continued.
Trans healthcare is healthcare. Those affected deserve clear information, appropriate support and a transparent route back to the care that has been paused
Simon Curtis, Equity National Official for Wales
Papers published ahead of the NWJCC’s 22 September meeting provide further detail about the process. Appointments to the independent clinical review panel have now been made and, subject to final governance approval, it is expected to begin work in the week commencing 21 September.
NWJCC has identified around 60 patients who had surgery due between the introduction of the pause and the end of December and says it expects all 60 to be reviewed before the end of the year.
Welsh Government has also told Equity that those further along the pathway will be prioritised in the review to allow appropriate referrals to proceed as soon as possible.
Commenting on the developments, Simon Curtis, Equity National Official for Wales, said the publication of a timetable for reviewing people whose surgery has been paused was "a welcome step." He continued, "But a timetable for the review is not yet the same as a clear route back to care. People affected still need to know what the review will mean for them, how their place on waiting lists will be protected and when treatment can safely resume. We of course agree that patient safety and robust clinical governance are essential, and any genuine concerns must be properly investigated on the basis of clinical evidence."
Equity supports the principle that decisions about individual care should be based on clinical evidence. While the additional information provides greater clarity about the review process, there is not yet a clear timetable for the surgical pathway itself to resume.
SImon explained that “for performers and creative workers, planned surgery may also mean turning down work and arranging contracts and finances around treatment and recovery. Sudden postponement can therefore affect someone’s livelihood as well as their health and wellbeing.
“Trans healthcare is healthcare. Those affected deserve clear information, appropriate support and a transparent route back to the care that has been paused.”
Equity’s intervention reflects existing union policy. At Equity Conference 2025, members overwhelmingly backed a motion from the union's LGBT+ Committee committing the union to support members accessing gender-affirming care.
