A POLITICAL row was brewing today over the decision to stop referrals for gender-affirming surgery and scheduled surgeries through the Welsh Gender Service.

NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee (NWJCC) decided that referrals for gender-affirming surgery and scheduled surgeries be paused while a review into the numbers carried out in Wales was conducted.

The decision was made after it emerged that the service in Wales was carrying out nearly four times the number of procedures carried out in England.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s Executive Medical Director David Fluck said: “The pause applies specifically to referrals for gender-affirming surgery, surgical assessments and surgery.

“Other elements of care provided by the Welsh Gender Service, including hormone therapy support, endocrine review and psychological support services, continue to operate.”

Trans activist group BASH said the decision would “wreak havoc on the lives of Welsh trans people.”

Welsh Conservative Senedd member Andrew RT Davies said: “It is alarming to see the number of people referred for gender surgery in Wales is so much higher than in England.”

Plaid Cymru Senedd member Matthew Jones responded saying the “Tories were using trans healthcare as a political football.

“We need to see the review undertaken as soon as possible — people’s lives are being put on hold with potentially serious consequences to people’s well-being as they wait.”