NHSE Nottingham and Nottinghamshire asks young trans people to take their survey.
The online survey says ‘If you’re aged 11 to 25 & identify as LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, non-binary & those who are exploring gender identity & sexual orientation), we want to know about your experiences of emotional health & wellbeing services.’ Trans support groups advise against for fear of data being used against them.
NHSE and NHS Sussex harmed trans people’s trust badly
Trans Pride Brighton co-founder and CEO Sarah Savage (she/her) believes no young person should interact with any part of NHSE. In a Bluesky post she comments on her distrust of NHS Sussex, after they stopped prescribing young trans people the medications they need.
‘NHS Sussex are currently trying to set meetings with local LGBTQ+ groups to “rebuild trust”
I’m like how about your bosses stop actively smashing our trust and actual lives first?
The anti trans ideological capture is complete, we lost. Engaging any more will just make things worse.’
A spokesperson for NHS Sussex gave no comment when North West Bylines asked about them setting up meetings with LGBTQIA + Groups.’
Not wanting to engage for fear of data collection
Many in the trans community are refusing to engage at all with NHSE, through fears of their interaction being used to further trans conversion therapy.
Ex LGBT Plus Labour Scotland, Trans Officer, Heather Herbert believes ‘The NHS is actively practicing conversion therapy against our youth, and data you share may be used against our community.’
Dr Sam Hall, who previously worked at the WellBN medical practice in Brighton shares Heather’s opinion.
He said. “I totally agree that no one should engage with them. 5 years ago we had a good working relationship between the trans community and NHS Sussex and they helped us develop our service. Now they’re crushing the very thing they paid for and encouraged. So no. Destroying lives for political points does not get you a place at the table to talk to us. That’s my view for what it’s worth.’
Trans kids lives are at stake
Dissatisfaction and frustration is growing amongst the parents of trans kids who face losing gender affirming care for their children.
Laura is one parent in that group, and has been fighting tirelessly for her teenage daughter to continue her gender affirming care.
She is deeply caring mother, exhausted from trying to get NHS Sussex to listen to her pleas, only for them to fall on deaf ears.
”[My daughter] Olive passed out in the shower a few days ago – anorexia geting worse.”
Laura’s daughter has been starving herself due to the stress of potentially being forced off her gender affirming medications.
‘The harm is mounting week by week, they are a discrace. Look at what they’re doing to these kids!’
Where are the dignity and respect we were promised?
Despite the UK (Labour) government promising trans people dignity and respect this has not been the reality.
They have failed to protect trans people’s human and civil rights in the aftermath of the UK Supreme Court ruling (April 2025) that stripped trans people of their right to legally be seen as their true gender identity. The Labour government, despite winning the majority of Westminster seats in the 2024 general election, have not improved trans healthcare and are actively pushing conversion therapy with the Puberty Blocker Ban and updated anti-trans school guidance.
The majority of trans people in the UK now feel under attack by the UK government, government services and the UK legal system.
A reassuring comment from NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
A spokesperson from NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board said:
We are committed to listening to all of our communities and using their experiences to help us shape our NHS services in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Our listening exercise with children and young people who identify as LGBTQ+ is to help us find out about their experiences of emotional health and wellbeing services so we can improve these services in the future.
“We would like to reassure people that responses to the listening exercise will be kept confidential, as per our privacy policy. We will record answers and use these to shape our services but responses will be anonymous.
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