Meeting demand for our Gender Identity Development Service

29 July 2016

Since the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) was nationally designated in 2009 we have consistently seen referrals within the agreed 18 week NHS standard maximum wait time, despite a year on year 50% increase in referrals. However last year we had an unpredictable and unprecedented 100% increase in referrals and from September 2015 our wait times for first appointments began to increase. Currently wait times are around 36 weeks; we are working closely with NHS England to reduce these waiting times.

To this end NHS England has increased funding for the service and we have been busy employing new staff. We have recruited 22 new members of staff across London and Leeds, in addition to a further 12 recently appointed. We will also be increasing our administrative capacity to manage the increase in referrals.

Read more on the Tavistock and Portman website