The Welsh Gender Service has controversially paused all referrals for gender-affirming surgeries. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, which runs the Wales-wide gender identity clinic, said there were "concerns" in the NHS about the number of referrals being made.
Higher referral rates than England
Data from 2025/26 showed "significantly higher rates of referral" for gender-affirming surgery compared with English gender services, according to the health board.
The gender identity clinic was set up in 2019 to provide specialist care for adults across Wales. It had been sending patients to England for surgery but referrals have now been halted. Other parts of the service, such as hormone therapy support, are continuing.
Trans groups respond
The Trans Greens group said it was "deeply disturbed to hear that Welsh trans patients, after enduring lengthy waiting times and expensive travel and accommodation costs, are having their surgeries cancelled mere hours before their appointments".
Its statement goes on: "While publicly available information is limited, it seems that the NHS Wales joint commissioning committee (NWJCC), which commissions specialist services for Wales such as the Welsh Gender Service, have been pressured into an utterly bogus 'investigation' by the Welsh Tories."
"In a completely unprecedented move, they have decided to suspend all gender affirming surgeries for Welsh trans people while the investigation is underway. This is a completely unfounded caving to moral panic."
Independent clinical review
The NWJCC requested an independent clinical review of the issue after identifying concerns through its "routine review and assurance processes", according to the health board.
All referrals for gender-affirming surgery and existing scheduled surgeries are on hold "while further independent clinical review work is carried out", the health board added. In addition to higher rates of referral, it said concerns had been raised "regarding aspects of referral and assessment processes".
The Welsh Tories' shadow health secretary Natasha Asghar said: "I have asked questions about the Welsh Gender Service on a few occasions at the Senedd but not received an adequate response. I wanted an independent review of the services and am glad we are getting one."
Protest planned
The We Exist trans rights group said a protest against the decision would take place at 12pm on Monday outside the Senedd, adding: "We will not stand quietly by while trans people are denied the healthcare they need. This is our healthcare. Our bodies. Our lives."
The health board said it understood the announcement "may be concerning for patients, their families, staff and the wider community". Patients with scheduled appointments with the Welsh Gender Service should still attend for discussions on next steps and psychological support, the health board said.
The NWJCC told the BBC its processes "are designed to ensure appropriate scrutiny and oversight where further discussion or investigation is required".
