New clinics will ‘establish a fundamentally different and safer model of care,’ according to the NHS
Anthropologist says transgenderism is throwing science ‘off the rails’
Buckle up folks, because England is about to embark on a transformative journey in the realm of gender healthcare for children. This is no ordinary update—this is a tectonic shift, aiming to build a ‘safer model of care,’ according to the National Health Service (NHS). So, what’s the buzz all about?
The United Kingdom’s NHS has boldly announced that by 2026, it will be the proud parent of six new gender identity clinics. These clinics will be designed to offer ‘tailored gender services,’ an upgrade inspired by recommendations from a recent and rather eye-opening report led by Dr. Hilary Cass.
Now, let’s rewind a bit. Dr. Cass, who is not just any doctor but a former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, dropped a 388-page bombshell report in April. This meticulously detailed document scrutinized the existing practices and care for children dealing with gender identity disorders. What did it find?
According to Dr. Cass, it turns out that medical professionals were out there in the wild West—’no guidance, no evidence, no training’ regarding gender disorders. They were navigating these turbulent waters with a compass that, frankly, didn’t have a needle. Yikes!
Here’s a shocker: The Cass Review also found that puberty blockers, those oft-debated medical interventions, didn’t really help the youth feel better about their bodies. The evidence on their mental effects was, as Dr. Cass delicately put it, pretty darn insufficient. This revelation sent ripples of controversy through both the activist and political realms.
Dr. Cass’s vision, now embraced by the NHS, is to offer a more holistic model of care. This means not just addressing gender concerns but also wrapping in mental health support, ensuring that every child and young person gets a thorough assessment of their needs.
‘I am pleased that NHS England is planning to fully implement the recommendations of my Review,’ Dr. Cass said, probably while popping a celebratory bottle of something bubbly. ‘The next important step will be the most challenging—turning it into a reality.’
To pave the way for these changes, the NHS has already laid out plans to enforce stricter referral standards. Now, all new referrals to these specialist clinics will need to come through mental health or pediatric services. Talk about tightening the reins!
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, the NHS national medical director, chimed in, stating that these plans ‘establish a fundamentally different and safer model of care for children and young people.’ According to him, the Cass Review has been invaluable in shaping this new direction, and the NHS has already started its sweeping reforms by opening two new regional centers.
In a move that doesn’t hold back, the NHS even ordered the closure of the Tavistock clinic last year over safety concerns. This London-based clinic had been the UK’s sole provider of gender identity services for children. The NHS followed up by banning the use of puberty blockers for kids this March, citing—you guessed it—insufficient research. Whew!
Setting their sights on the future, two new clinics have already opened at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool. The next one on the list is planned for Bristol by November 2024. Beyond that, the East of England will see a new clinic come 2024-2025. The NHS isn’t stopping there. They’ve got their eyes on adult gender services too, planning a comprehensive review based on Dr. Cass’s suggestions.
So, hang onto your hats because the NHS is reshaping the gender healthcare landscape in a big way. Whether you agree with the changes or not, one thing is for sure: The conversation around gender healthcare for the young is far from over.
