Dear Chair,

We are writing to submit the following letter under Council Procedure Rule 23.3 to be included on the agenda for the meeting of Health Overview and Scruitiny Committee on Wednesday 13th April 2022. 

As leads for equalities and young people, we both receive regular communication regarding the health inequalities for trans people. This is an issue we both feel strongly about and feel it is of significant importance. 

In a recent school visit, Cllr Clare was asked by a young trans person what more we can do to improve trans healthcare. In particular, they wanted to understand why we do not have a gender identity clinic in Brighton and Hove. We therefore thought this would be a good matter for Health Overview & Scruinity Committee to examine. 

The London GIC currently has a waiting list of more than 10,000 people and they are currently offering appointments to people referred to the service 5 years ago. This is an unacceptable wait and shows the real pressure on their services. [1] 

In the 2013 Brighton & Hove Trans Scruitiny Panel, there was a recommendation for the NHS to bring a clinic to the city. Yet almost 10 years later, this goal is no further forward. It has never been more urgent. [2] 

Therefore we would like to ask the chair whether they would consider bringing a report to the next meeting of HOSC in July 2022, the week of trans pride Brighton & Hove outlining:

· The state of trans healthcare in the city

· Further feedback on the recommendations of the trans scrutiny panel, with regard to whether a gender identity clinic in the city is being considered by the NHS

Kind regards

Cllr Clare, Chair, Children Young People and Skills

Cllr Powell, co-Chair, Tourism, Economy, Communities and Culture