The Waiting Well initiative is a dedicated support offer for people awaiting NHS gender services. Announced by LGBT Foundation and Gendered Intelligence, the project began as a South West pilot and is designed to change how people experience long delays. The scheme targets trans and non-binary individuals who are on NHS lists for assessment or treatment, and it aims to provide practical guidance, advocacy and wellbeing resources while appointments are pending. The announcement was published 23/04/2026, and it describes a model intended for wider rollout beyond the pilot region.
At the time of the launch, organisations highlighted that roughly 42,000 people in England and Wales are known to be waiting for some form of NHS gender identity healthcare. Waiting Well responds to that reality by offering a layered support package that seeks to reduce isolation and improve navigation of the system. The service emphasises person-centred contact, signposting to peer support and information about next steps, combining practical help with emotional care. It is framed as a bridge service for the period before clinical appointments.
What the service offers
Waiting Well delivers a mix of one-to-one contact and group-based resources so people can access help in ways that suit them. Core elements include peer-led check-ins, information about administrative processes, and referrals to local and national organisations. The programme uses a trauma-informed approach and aims to tailor support to cultural and age-specific needs. The service also focuses on digital accessibility, offering phone and online options as well as written materials. Throughout the offer, Waiting Well prioritises safe communication and confidentiality for people on the waiting list.
Partnerships and structure
The project is delivered through a partnership between two sector organisations, combining community outreach and clinical navigation expertise. LGBT Foundation brings experience in community services and helplines, while Gendered Intelligence contributes expertise in working with younger trans and non-binary people and shaping healthcare pathways. Together they established the pilot in the South West to test methods, gather feedback and refine processes before scaling. The organisations plan to evaluate outcomes and use learning from the pilot to inform a national expansion of the National Trans Waiting List Support Service.
Eligibility and how to access support
Who can use the service
People eligible for Waiting Well are those registered with a gender identity clinic or otherwise on NHS pathways for gender identity care. The service is intended for a broad age range and aims to be inclusive of diverse identities. Referral routes include direct self-referral and referrals from partner organisations or clinics. Intake information typically asks about age category, the specific GIC the person is registered with, and communication preferences to tailor support. The service collects basic contact details such as email so teams can arrange follow-up and share resources.
Referral form and data collected
The referral process gathers essential details to match support to individual needs. Typical fields include an age bracket, which clinic or gender identity clinic (GIC) the person is registered with, pronouns and an email address for confirmation and contact. These items allow staff to prioritise outreach, understand likely timelines for clinical contact and offer appropriate peer groups or signposting. The form is designed to be straightforward, reducing barriers to access and ensuring information is used only for the purposes of delivering the support service.
Why this matters and next steps
Long waits for gender identity services can harm mental health and create practical difficulties in daily life. Waiting Well addresses these risks by offering connection, information and advocacy while clinical appointments are pending. The pilot’s design recognises that timely non-clinical support can improve resilience and reduce the administrative burden on overstretched services. If evaluation from the South West pilot shows positive results, the partners intend to expand the model nationally, aiming to reach more of the estimated 42,000 people waiting across England and Wales. Ongoing feedback from participants will shape any national rollout.
Contact and further information
People interested in the service can find details and a referral pathway via partner websites. The project emphasises confidentiality and accessibility, offering multiple contact options. While the pilot focuses on the South West initially, the stated ambition is national coverage, using evidence from the pilot to build a sustainable network of waiting list support for those accessing NHS gender identity healthcare.