Gender Identity Clinic progress unacceptable – Welsh Lib Dems

Responding to comments by the BMA's Welsh General Practitioners Committee that a full Gender Identity Clinic service is unlikely to be made available in Wales, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have called for an urgent assessment on progress on the establishment of Wales' first Gender Identity Clinic.

The BMA have claimed transgender people are being let down by an unacceptable lack of progress towards the establishment of a Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) in Wales and that they have no confidence in a proper service being provided.

The Welsh Lib Dems were the first party to call for a GIC in Wales as part of their Assembly debate on transgender issues in November 2014, the first ever time trans issues were discussed at length by the Assembly.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Cllr Rhys Taylor commented:

"These comments from the BMA are deeply worrying. It is particularly concerning that those meant to be delivering this vital service have been accused of unacceptable behaviour towards the proposed clinic. It is deeply disappointing to hear that the behaviour of officials and health boards has led to a loss of confidence that a proper service will be delivered.

"The Cabinet Secretary must get to grips immediately with the comments made by the BMA and deliver on his government's commitment to the trans community in Wales. It is unacceptable that Wales is still no closer to being able to offer the services and treatment trans people deserve."

"The transgender community already faces unacceptable discrimination. The least the Welsh Government can do is ensure trans individuals have access to vital services as close to home as possible. The Welsh Liberal Democrats are rightly proud of our record on transgender issues and we will not stop until Wales gets the quality Gender Identity Clinic it needs"