Horrific Impact of Eight Year Waits at Devon Gender Clinic Revealed

Exeter: The West of England Specialist Gender Identity Clinic is overwhelmed. People are waiting up to eight years for their first appointment. That’s just crazy, right?

The waiting list has ballooned to nearly 5,000 people. Those who signed up back in 2017 are just now getting seen. It’s a tough situation, especially for those like Abbie from Torquay.

Abbie has been on the list for five years. She’s been struggling with body dysphoria and mental health issues. It got so bad that she ended up in the hospital after a self-harm incident. She’s had to pay for private treatment just to start her transition.

She worries about others stuck on the list who can’t afford private care. Abbie was referred to the clinic in 2020 but still hasn’t been seen. She feels lost and frustrated with the lack of communication from the clinic.

Abbie’s journey has been tough. She grew up feeling different and didn’t understand why. It wasn’t until she found supportive friends that she began to embrace her identity. After two years of waiting, she sought help in London and started hormone therapy.

Now, she’s on a monthly regimen, but it’s costly. Abbie’s mental health hit rock bottom before she started treatment. She’s been through a lot, including self-harm and eviction struggles.

Despite the challenges, hormone therapy has made a difference. Abbie dreams of surgery to fully transition. But the wait for the Exeter clinic feels endless. She just wants that first appointment to access the support she needs.

Abbie has faced negativity from others while living as a woman. But her dad is supportive, which helps. She’s been living authentically for a few years now, but the journey is still hard.

The clinic’s waiting list has nearly doubled in four years. DPT, the clinic’s provider, blames the pandemic and staffing shortages. They’ve received extra funding but still face challenges in reducing wait times.

DPT is working to improve services and has added new staff. They’re trying to see more patients each month. But the backlog remains significant, and many are still waiting too long.

If you’re on the waiting list, make sure your contact info is current. DPT wants to help more people, but they need your cooperation. There are also support services available for those in need.

It’s a tough situation for many, and the wait can feel unbearable. But there’s hope for improvement in the future. Abbie’s story highlights the urgent need for better access to gender care.