Written question asked by Caroline Johnson (Conservative) on Monday, 2 March 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 March 2026 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Friday, 6 March 2026. A substantive answer was provided by Karin Smyth (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 March 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Health Services: Gender Recognition

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the written statement on 26 February 2026 titled Data Linkage Study, what the small but important improvements in study design are to which he refers in his statement.

Answer: Small but important proposed improvements include refining the data sharing requirement of adult gender clinics, so that data is only requested that directly relates to the study cohort. Careful consideration has also been given to how best to run the study-specific data opt out so that it is simpler and more accessible to individuals in the study cohort, and can remain open longer. This will provide the parallel benefit of reducing the administrative burden on individual gender clinics.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 117017
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Data Linkage Study
Thursday, 26 February 2026
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects: Health services Research Gender recognition
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk