Funding Call for Research on Long-Term Health Outcomes for those Accessing Gender Identity Healthcare in Scotland

Posted by: Julie Simpson - Posted on:

This call administered by the University of Glasgow, following an allocation of funding by Scottish Government, is for a number of Scottish-led research projects into long term health outcomes of people accessing primarily NHS Scotland services. We anticipate individual projects funded through this call to typically cost in the range of £20-30,000 and last 6-9 months in duration.

Potential areas of research focus include:

  • The experiences of healthcare provision among trans people who last accessed gender identity services some time ago e.g. after 10 years, or for older trans people.
  • Older individuals’ experiences of accessing gender reassignment treatments for the first time, including cross-sex hormones and/or referral for surgery. Research into healthcare professional’s attitudes to the efficacy of different treatment options at different life stages.
  • Non-linear use of gender identity healthcare pathways: for example, what range of reasons do people give for stopping accessing treatments through gender identity clinics?
  • Young people’s experiences from before and after accessing gender identity services: What are their experiences of wellbeing and development, including emotional, social, physical and intellectual/vocational? Perspectives from parents and carers, and from different relevant professionals, such as healthcare professionals or teachers, could also be included.
  • Why may some trans people who need to access gender identity healthcare choose not to access NHS gender identity services? This may include exploration of barriers to access and intersections with protected characteristics.

Applications will be assessed in a one-stage process by a panel of experts drawn from across multiple universities across Scotland and people with lived experience. The panel will be chaired by Professor Christian Delles. The following criteria will be used to assess each application:

  • Importance of identified research gap
  • Appropriateness of research methods
  • Feasibility of research, including appropriate risk mitigation
  • Adequacy of public and patient involvement
  • Relevance to the Scottish policy landscape
  • Value for money

Applications should be a maximum of three pages (Arial font 11, with 2cm margins) and submitted by e-mail to SCMH-TransHealth@glasgow.ac.uk. The call deadline is 8th November 2023. They should include the following information:

  • Lay summary: max 200 words
  • Background
  • Research questions
  • Methods
  • Public and Patient Involvement
  • Impact plan
  • Justification of costs

We anticipate projects starting on 1st February 2024. Successful applications will be expected to provide a three-month update on progress, followed by completion of a short (four page) end-of-project report. Participation in a dissemination event with Scottish Government policy stakeholders to communicate key policy-relevant findings will also be expected.

Useful information

The Scottish Government published its NHS gender identity services: strategic action framework 2022 – 2024 which provides important information about the policy landscape:

NHS Research Scotland guidance on embedding public and patient involvement in research

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and Public Health Scotland 2022 report on Health Needs Assessment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and non-binary people

Scottish Government funded 2022 supplementary report: Health needs of assessment LGBT+ people: Transgender and non-binary supplementary report

Scottish Public Health Network Healthcare Needs Assessment on Gender identity services in Scotland