Freedom of Information (FOI) requests obtained by Welsh queer advocacy group Cwiar Cymru have confirmed that NHS Wales took unverified concerns from patients’ family members into consideration when pausing gender-affirming surgeries in Wales.
The NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee (NWJCC), which oversaw the decision, previously stated that the pause was informed by concerns raised by clinicians and patients. However, newly released communications confirm that family input formed part of the decision-making evidence base.
Advocates highlight that involving family members in trans healthcare poses significant risks to patients. Surveys estimate that as much as 43% of trans people have faced abuse from their own family.
A spokesperson for Cwiar Cymru said:
“Trans healthcare should strictly be a matter between the patient and their clinician. Involving external family members is an inappropriate measure that disregards the reality faced by many trans people whose families do not accept them.
The NWJCC’s decision-making process has been opaque and unaccountable. It is clear that this review has never been about patient safety.”
In their FOI response, the NWJCC said:
“Concerns were raised by some patients about the referral process and formed part of the wider information considered by the NWJCC. The decision was not based solely on patient concerns but on the combined evidence available, including referral data and concerns raised by family members and clinicians.”
Cwiar Cymru is calling for full transparency regarding NHS Wales’ commissioning policies and an immediate review into how external non-clinical inputs affect patient care decisions.
Notes to editors
Cwiar Cymru is a non-profit organisation that supports queer people and advocates for queer equality across Wales.
The NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee is a formal committee of the seven local health boards in Wales, responsible for commissioning national services.
You can see the NWJCC’s full FOI response here
Contact details
For press enquiries or further information, please contact press@cwiar.org.
