Written question WQ100410

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality, and I met with the NHS Wales Joint Commissiong Committee (NWJCC) on 4 September. The purpose of the meeting was to seek clarity on the Committee’s decision to pause gender-affirming surgery and referrals for surgery. I received assurance that this was a clinically-led decision due primarily to the data showing higher rates of referral from Wales but lower rates of progression to some surgeries. It is important that the NWJCC understands the reasons for this, and that is the purpose of the urgent clinical review of patients on the waiting list.

I also received assurance that this is a pause, not a stop. I expect the urgent clinical review to be undertaken at pace to minimise disruption for patients.

I have also written to the Chair of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to seek further assurance on the support being provided for those affected by the pause.

I have been clear that whilst this process needs to be evidenced and clinically led, disruption for individuals on the waiting list must be minimised. I expect both the NWJCC and the health board to take forward any required actions as a priority.

The NWJCC is responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of the services that it commissions. NWJCC Committee papers and Sub Committee papers are published here Committee Meeting Papers - NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee. We expect the related impact assessments and information relating to the escalation of the service to level 3 to be published in the Joint Committee papers later this month (September).