Patients of Wales' sole transgender clinic were informed their operations had been cancelled while they were already in hospital, according to a health board. The Welsh Gender Service has paused all commissioned surgery following concerns raised by NHS officials regarding the volume and suitability of referrals.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, which hosts the clinic, apologised for the impact on patients and their families. One patient, Sion Jewell, who had waited five years for surgery, described feeling "heartbroken" after being told their operation was called off 24 hours before it was due.
The NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee (NWJCC) stated the pause was necessary for "urgent clinical assurance work." Concerns were heard last Monday by a NWJCC subcommittee about the Welsh Gender Service having higher rates of surgical referrals than comparable services in England, alongside questions about referral appropriateness. Referrals and assessments are also on hold.