Trans Voices

Healthwatch Cumberland decided to research trans people's access to healthcare after being told about problems. They spoke to 58 people.

Both survey respondents and case study participants reported long waiting times and systemic gaps in gender‑affirming healthcare. Experiences included:

• Waits ranging from several years up to nearly a decade for gender clinic appointments. 
• GP refusals to support blood tests, name/pronoun changes, or shared‑care arrangements. 
• Participants turning to private care or DIY HRT due to NHS delays or refusals. 
• Cases of missed consultations, lack of follow‑up, and complete disengagement from services.

All respondents who answered reported mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts Case studies highlighted trauma linked to bullying, social rejection, assault, family conflict, and long‑term concealment of identity. Many participants connected their mental distress with delays in care, discrimination, and persistent misgendering. Despite this, many individuals demonstrated resilience, describing periods of growth, self‑acceptance, and improved wellbeing when supported by friends, employers, or LGBTQ+ spaces.

Experiences of living in Cumberland varied widely: Many case study participants described staring, microaggressions, misgendering, and feeling unsafe in public spaces. Some faced open hostility, especially in rural or tight‑knit communities where “everyone knows each other.” Others reported positive experiences at Pride events, inclusive workplaces, or supportive social groups Participants emphasised the need for greater public education, consistent use of pronouns, and a more informed understanding of gender diversity. Multiple participants described a generational divide, with younger people generally being more accepting than older people in Cumberland.

Survey data showed that most Trans and Gender diverse people rely heavily on informal support: Friends and family were the primary sources of support. Access to professional support (GPs, counsellors, specialist services) was inconsistent or unavailable. Several case study participants lived with significant social isolation.

 Across the case studies, participants described: 

• Lifelong feelings of gender difference beginning in childhood. 
• Barriers in expressing identity safely in public spaces. 
• Experiences of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. 
• Mental health impact when their identity was dismissed or invalidated by professionals or family members.