THE only clinic in Scotland that helps young people change gender has been closed to new patients.
According to the service's website, it's due to “significant pressure” and the potential for a funding cut.
The Sandyford provides a range of sexual, reproductive and emotional health services, including emergency contraception, abortion, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and counselling for rape and sexual assault.
The clinic, run by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, also offers a “comprehensive” service for young people aged from 13 who are uncertain about their gender identity, and adult transgender and non-binary people considering medical treatment or surgery.
A message on the website states that due to pressure within the service and a significant reduction in staff it is unable to offer new appointments to young people. Adult appointments are also limited.
The health board said there would be no change for patients who are already in the system.
It comes after the Glasgow City Health and Care Partnership (CHCP) said “all aspects” of health and social care services were being considered for funding cuts and that difficult decisions would have to be made.
Some politicians have been calling for Sandyford's gender clinic to be closed after NHS England decided to wind up the equivalent service in London.
It followed a review which raised concerns about gender dysphoria being treated in isolation from other mental health issues at the Tavistock clinic.
NHS GGC runs four Sandyford clinics in Glasgow, including the main centre at Sandyford Place and others in Clydebank, Greenock and Paisley.
The service website said enquiries from young people would still be dealt with but may take up to two weeks and said system pressures were being reviewed at board and national level.
The message adds: “We acknowledge the stress and anxiety this might cause for any person or family/friend of a person waiting to access our service and we are sorry that we cannot offer more at this current time.”
