Coroner rules that the tragic death of a trans teenager could have been prevented by shorter NHS wait times 

Leia Sampson-Grimbly was described as “a beautiful person inside and out”

BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY INKDROP

A coroner has determined that the death of 17-year-old Leia Sampson-Grimbly, who took her own life in 2024, could have been prevented if there had been shorter waiting times for gender affirming care. 

Leia has been remembered as “a beautiful person inside and out”. She had a “great future ahead of her” and was surrounded by love. However, the coroner’s report determined that long waiting times to be seen by Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust greatly impacted Leia’s mental health. 

Senior coroner Andrew Walker stated: “Having to battle with changes to her body without receiving the necessary preventative treatment together with the many hurdles and setbacks gradually eroded her belief that she would succeed and everything would be alright.” 

In 2024, Leia reported “intermittent low mood”, and she experienced hostility online, receiving “links on social media inciting those like Leia to suicide”. 

Currently, the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust has over 16,000 people on its waiting list alone. The wait time is approximately six years. Referring to Leia’s tragic passing, Walker wrote: “The waiting lists for treatment were far too long and the circumstances therefore led to Leia being without treatment.” 

jane fae, a director of TransActual, said: “On a day when the story of the death of a trans girl, due to NHS failures, was breaking news, what was worrying Health Secretary, Wes Streeting? That’s right: some petty vandalism that took place at a conference centre in Brighton. Because, one can only conclude, the death of a trans person matters somewhat less than damage to a few windows. Is anyone still in doubt about the value he places on trans lives?”

WeAreQueerAF’s latest research found that two-thirds of adults waiting to access trans healthcare are under 25. As QueerAF wrote: “Tens of thousands of young Trans+ people are having to navigate those young adult milestones while stuck in limbo, waiting for healthcare, with no end in sight.” 

Claire Prosho, founder of Claire’s Trans Talks, told QueerAF: “It is disappointing but unsurprising to see that little progress has been made by the NHS nor UK Government in improving access to, or the performance of, life saving adult gender services across the UK, which still languish behind the levels of service documented in 2019 despite increases in staffing, budget and new clinics.”  

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by the topics discussed in this article, know that you are not alone. Please reach out to one of these helplines for support, advice and guidance during this unprecedented time. 

Mindline Trans: 0300 330 5468 

TRUK Listens: 0800 009 6640 

Switchboard: 0800 0119 100 

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