National Gender Identity Healthcare Reference Group minutes: November 2022

Attendees and apologies

• Dr Ewan Bell (Co-Chair), Associate Medical Director, NHS Dumfries and Galloway
• Professor Nicola Steedman, (Co-Chair), Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Scottish Government
• Adam Black, Nurse Consultant/Clinical Nurse Manager, NHS Lothian
• Dr Eimear Crowe (guest), Clinical Psychologist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• Neil Ferguson, Head of Planning, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• Linsey Galbraith (guest), Principal Information Analyst, Public Health Scotland
• Dr Fiona Gibson, Clinician, NHS Highland
• Jane Harris, Head of Programme, Postgraduate and Post-Registration Education and Continuing Professional Development, NHS Education for Scotland
• Kathryn Kinnear, Service Manager, NHS Grampian
• Dr Anna Lamont, Medical Director, National Procurement Commissioning and Facilities, NHS National Services Scotland
• Jennifer Layden (guest), Healthcare Improvement Scotland
• Kirstin Leath, Head of Health Equity and Equalities Unit, Scottish Government
• Kimberley MacInnes, Service Manager/Lead Nurse, NHS Highland
• Rhoda Macleod, Head of Sexual Health, Prison and Police Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• Dr Louise Melvin, Interim Clinical Lead, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• Dr Christine Mimnagh, CMAGIC Clinical Lead, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
• Katrina Mitchell, Development Worker, LGBT Health and Wellbeing
• David Parker, Lead Clinician, National Gender Identity Clinical Network for Scotland
• Dr Ruth Pearce, Lecturer, University of Glasgow
• Evelyn Sheerin, Parent representative, TransparentSees
• Vic Valentine Manager, Scottish Trans Alliance
• Dr Fiona Wardell, Standards and Indicators Team Leader, Healthcare Improvement Scotland
• Dr Michelle Watts, Senior Medical Adviser – Primary Care, Scottish Government
• Dr Sarah Weldon, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• Lived Experience Coordinator
• NGICNS management and administration (guests)

Apologies

• Colin Briggs, Director of Strategic Planning, NHS Lothian
• Jenny McNicol, Acute Director of Nursing and Midwifery, NHS Grampian
• Mairi Watson, Information Consultant, Public Health Scotland

Items and actions

Welcome and introductions

Nicola Steedman (NS) welcomed attendees to the seventh meeting of the National Gender Identity Healthcare Reference Group (the Group). Apologies were noted and guests welcomed. For the benefit of guests and new members, everyone was reminded of the agreed Terms of Reference and expectations of the members.

It was noted that Dr Amber Keenan has now resigned from the Group. Her contribution to the work of the group was acknowledged and members noted their thanks.

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved and NS noted these will now be published online. Completion of previous actions arising from the last meeting were noted.

NS welcomed the Lived Experience Coordinator as a new member of the Group and introductions were made.

22/23 Health Board allocation

Scottish Government provided a brief update on Health Board allocation for the 22/23 financial year. This followed the outcome of the Emergency Budget Review in autumn 2022.

Funding for the next financial year were discussed and associated challenges to recruit staff in context of continued financial uncertainty. It was agreed that the secretariat will raise with Health Finance.

Overview of work and reporting template

Secretariat provided an overview of how different strands of ongoing work interact. Complexity of the landscape of work was acknowledged by the Group. It was requested that greater information sharing take place across workstreams, particularly those being progressed by National Boards.

A new reporting template was presented. This aims to support members to provide oversight, comment and appropriate challenge . It was recognised the role of the Group is moving into a new space. The Group approved the template and suggestions for improvement were made.

A brief update on progress to date across different workstreams was provided.

Following presentation at previous meeting, Healthcare Improvement Scotland provided an example of the structure and role of standards, indicators, clinical pathways and guidance that form the part of its function.

Young Person’s Gender Service Provision

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde provided an overview of its clinical service, including structure, approaches and challenges.

Discussion on access to care, research and the challenges to provision of healthcare for young people in Scotland from this small team followed. It was agreed that further action is require with other NHS Scotland partners  on how to best support this service going forward.

The Group and the stakeholders expressed their appreciation and commended the dedication of the small team providing this service.

Public Health Scotland update

Public Health Scotland updated the Group on the progress of work on establishing a waiting times data collection and reporting, which is on track.

Gender Reassignment Protocol - update

NSS outlined the principles of the protocol, clarified the terminology and representation on development groups. Contribution from those involved in the development were acknowledged.

Governance pathway and timeline were outlined and it was confirmed that this is on track to be issued to the Chief Medical Officer by the end of the year.

Any other business

No further business was raised.