Transgender patients are threatening legal action against the NHS after delays left them with ‘half-built’ penises.
Some are left ‘in limbo’ between operations – leaving them with ‘indeterminate genitalia’ – while others are still waiting to undergo their first operation.
Patients say this has caused physical and psychological problems and affected their work and personal lives.
Problems with the treatment arose after NHS England commissioned St Peter’s Andrology Center – a private clinic in London – to perform surgery, but did not renew the contract when it expired at the end of March 2020.
It was only in September 2021 that a new provider – New Victoria Hospital in London – was appointed.
Legal firm Leigh Day has now written to NHS England and St Peter’s, claiming their failures have led to the collapse of commissioning arrangements and contributed to delays.