Six new specialist clinics will be created by 2026 to support under 18s struggling with their gender identity, NHS England confirmed today.
READ MORE:The Prime Minister has been urged to rethink a 'dangerous' NHS plan to tackle the increasing numbers of children suffering gender identity crises — including a clinical trial of controversial puberty blockers involving teens.
Lucy Marsh, from the Family Education Trust, said the charity had serious 'concerns' about the NHS' plan, particularly its trial of puberty blockers on teenagers, which she believes is 'unethical' and 'dangerous'. 'We do not need more gender clinics, instead the NHS should be looking at the root causes of gender dysphoria including mental health issues, autism, sexual abuse and issues within the family.
He told MailOnline: 'If the NHS does end up trialing puberty blockers, we already know the harm they cause because of the Cass Review and the ban implemented on puberty blockers by the previous government — and children have been irreversibly damaged, so I'm concerned about that.' She warned evidence for the use of puberty blockers and hormones relied heavily on 'shaky foundations' and associated guidelines were not supported by science.
'Such trials are ethically unjustifiable, given the known risks of permanent damage to fertility, sexual functioning and general health. The new regional centres join two existing clinics in Liverpool and London that replace the scandal-hit Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service, which shut its doors in July 2022.
Read More Child under five is among thousands of kids on waiting list for NHS gender care, figures reveal - despite proposals saying children under seven should not be referred for treatment The clinics — led by London's Great Ormond Street Hospital and Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool — replaced the scandal hit Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.
Dr Hilary Cass said she was 'pleased' the NHS was planning to 'fully implement' her recommendations but warned that the process ahead is likely to be 'challenging'. Puberty blockers, which pause the physical changes of puberty such as breast development or facial hair, will now only be available to children as part of clinical research trials. Pictured, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust which has been accused of rushing children onto puberty blocking drugs by former patients who feel they weren't challenged enough
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