1. Purpose of the report and policy context

1.1 This report provides an update on specialist services for trans healthcare, with a particular focus on the Sussex Gender Service pilot.

1.2 The Sussex gender service is commissioned by NHS England (NHSE) and provided by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT). Slides provided by SPFT are included as Appendix 1 to this report, and the annual report of the Sussex gender service 2023-24 is included as Appendix 2.

2. Recommendations

2.1 Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee notes the information in this report and its appendices.

3. Context and background information

3.1 In 2022 councillors Powell and Allbrooke wrote to the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) requesting scrutiny of healthcare services for trans people. The HOSC agreed, scheduling reports on local primary care services in July 2022 and on specialist services in March 2023. The focus of the March 2023 meeting was largely on the Sussex gender service (SGS) pilot which was then just being launched. The SGS was established to provide specialist services that could previously only be accessed out of area, and for which there were exceptionally long waits. As the SGS pilot was just being established in July 2022, members requested an update after a year or so of operation. This report provides this update, with the SGS annual report for 23/24 included for information as Appendix 2.

3.2 Specialised trans healthcare services are commissioned by NHS England (NHSE). The SGS pilot provider is Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT), and both NHSE and SPFT have contributed to this report.

4. Analysis and consideration of alternative options

4.1 Not applicable to this information report.

5. Community engagement and consultation

5.1 None for this information report.

6. Financial implications

6.1 There are no financial implications to this report.

Name of finance officer consulted: Ishemupenya Chagonda Date consulted 20/01/25

7. Legal implications

The Council’s Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee has delegated to it the statutory responsibility of reviewing and scrutinising matters relating to the planning, provision and operation of health services in Brighton & Hove. As a result, the subject matter of this Report – namely trans healthcare – is an appropriate matter for this Committee, which is asked to note the information provided.

Name of lawyer consulted: Victoria Simpson Date consulted 16.01.2025

8. Equalities implications

8.1 None directly for this information report.

9. Sustainability implications

9.1 none identified.

10. Health and Wellbeing Implications:

10.1 see information provided by SPFT/NHSE (appendices 1 and 2).

Other Implications

11. Procurement implications

11.1 none identified

12. Crime & disorder implications:

12.1 None identified.

13. Conclusion

13.1 Members are asked to note the update on specialised trans healthcare services, particularly the Sussex gender service.

Supporting Documentation

1. Appendices

1. Slides from SPFT/NHSE

2. Sussex Gender Services Annual Report 2023-24