Under 18 Transgender - FOI Response Register

Following the recent Cass review, we are keen to look at the gender identity services that are provided here in Shetland. As you will be aware, NHS Scotland has paused the prescribing of puberty blockers to children under 18 referred by its specialist gender clinic in Glasgow.

Is the following information available:

1. The number of under 18’s in Shetland that were/have been prescribed puberty blockers? Please break this down by year for the last five years.

2019 – 1 patient

2020 – 0 patients

2021 – 0 patients

2022 – 0 patients

2023 – 0 patients

Unable to differentiate between GnRH analogues used as puberty blockers, or another clinical indication. 1 patient under 18 years of age prescribed GnRH analogue for any indication in the last five years.

2. The number of under 18’s in Shetland that were referred to the Sandyford clinic in Glasgow? Please break this down by year for the last five years.

Zero – NHS Shetland may signpost a young person to self-refer to the Sandyford clinic, but don’t make referrals.

3. The number of under 18’s who were referred to mental health services for gender dysphoria? Please break this down by year for the last five years.

Zero