NHS Wales is pausing gender-affirming surgeries (Getty Images, stock)
The Welsh NHS has paused new referrals and scheduled surgeries for gender-affirming procedures while an independent clinical review examines the Welsh Gender Service’s referral and assessment processes.
Thanks for registering! You can update your email subscriptions at any time in the
My profile section of your account.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, which runs the Welsh Gender Service, said the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee instructed it to “immediately pause” referrals for gender-affirming surgery and existing scheduled surgeries while the review takes place, as detailed in a 28 August statement.
The decision follows data from 2025 to 2026 that the health board said showed “significantly higher rates of referral for gender affirming surgery” from the Welsh Gender Service compared with gender services in England.
The health board also said concerns had been raised about aspects of the referral and assessment processes. It has not, however, said that the higher referral rate itself means patients were referred inappropriately, and the independent clinical review has yet to establish what, if anything, needs to change.
The Welsh Gender Service is an NHS gender identity clinic established in 2019 that provides specialist care to adults in Wales. While the service provides assessment and other forms of gender-affirming care in Wales, patients requiring surgery are referred to services in England.
For now, three areas have been paused: new referrals for gender-affirming surgery, surgical assessments and surgeries that had already been scheduled.
Other parts of the Welsh Gender Service will continue to operate, including hormone therapy support, psychological support and speech and language therapy.
The health board has also told patients who already have appointments with the service to continue attending. Those appointments can be used to discuss next steps and access psychological support while the review is underway.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said it understood that the announcement could be concerning for patients, their families, staff and the wider community.
The independent clinical review is now expected to examine the assessment, referral and governance arrangements behind the service’s surgical referrals.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.