Gender identity healthcare: evaluation of the impact of Scottish Government funding

Annex E: Information Sheet for Research Participants

Evaluation of the Impact of Scottish Government Funding - Gender Identity Healthcare

[Name of Researcher]

Horizons Research

Information for participants

Thank you for considering participating in this study which will take place during April to October 2024. This information sheet outlines the purpose of the study and provides a description of your involvement and rights as a participant, if you agree to take part.

1. What is the research about?

This evaluation has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to support the SG in understanding the effects of funding allocated to NHS Health Boards to improve access to, and delivery of, gender identity healthcare. The evaluation focuses on services provided by Scotland's gender identity clinics. The project comprises (1) a process evaluation - analysing the implementation and delivery of services and (2) an impact evaluation, analysing the effects of funding on patient care, including waiting times, staff, services managers and partners. The main aims are to explore how the funding for services has been delivered, and impacts of funding on the quality of care. The research methods for the project comprise: a desk review of primary and secondary literature; semi-structured research interviews with key stakeholders including healthcare staff, service managers, referring organisations and partner groups supporting patients; short online surveys; focus groups; and engagement events with key stakeholders.

2. Do I have to take part?

It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. You do not have to take part if you do not want to. If you do decide to take part I will ask you to sign a consent form [attached below] which you can sign and return in advance of the interview (an electronic/typed signature by email is fine).

3. What will my involvement be?

We are asking key stakeholders - including healthcare staff, service managers, referring organisations, partner groups supporting patients, and service users - to participate in this evaluation through either: semi-structured interviews, focus groups, surveys, or engagement events.

We would like to invite you to participate in a semi-structured interview. It will take place either online, by telephone, or face-to-face (based on your preference) and will last approximately 30 minutes. The interviews will be recorded, transcribed, used and destroyed in compliance with the UK Data Protection Act and GDPR regulations (see below for further information on data protection).

4. How do I withdraw from the study?

You can withdraw from the study at any point until 1 September 2024, when we will begin preparing our final report to submit to the Scottish Government. You do not have to give a reason for withdrawing. If any questions during the interview make you feel uncomfortable, you do not have to answer them. Withdrawing from the study will have no effect on you. If you withdraw from the study, I will not retain the information you have given thus far, unless you are happy for me to do so.

5. What will my information be used for?

This information will be used to undertake a process and impact evaluation of the effect of Scottish Government funding on access to, and delivery of, gender identity healthcare services. This will be published in a Scottish Government report at the end of 2024.

6. Will my taking part and my data be kept confidential? Will it be anonymised?

The records from this study will be kept as confidential as possible. Only the research team at Horizons Research will have access to the files and any audio tapes. Your data will be anonymised – your name will not be used in any reports or publications resulting from the study. All digital files, transcripts and summaries will be given codes and stored separately from any names or other direct identification of participants. Any hard copies of research information will be kept in locked files at all times.

Limits to confidentiality: confidentiality will be maintained as far as it is possible, unless you tell us something which implies that you or someone you mention might be in significant danger of harm and unable to act for themselves; in this case, we may have to inform the relevant agencies of this, but we would discuss this with you first.

7. Data Protection Privacy Notice

Horizons Research adheres to the GDPR and UK Data Protection Act regulations. We are happy to provide a copy of our data protection policies.

8. What if I have a question or complaint?

If you have any questions regarding this study please contact the researcher [insert name/email].

If you are happy to take part in this study, please sign the consent sheet attached.