Following the findings of the Cass Review, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has demanded significant improvements in the transparency and research engagement of children’s gender care services in England.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins has demanded immediate improvements to the transparency of children’s gender care services in England, following criticisms outlined in the Cass Review. The review, conducted by Dr. Hilary Cass, identified significant deficiencies in the evidence supporting the use of puberty blockers and criticized gender dysphoria clinics for not participating in research assessing patient outcomes. The findings highlighted a disconnect between current practices and international standards.
The response from government officials has been forthright, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour’s Wes Streeting also weighing in on the necessity for prudence and reform in the provision of gender care. In reaction to the review, Atkins described the clinics’ non-cooperation with studies as “disgraceful” and has called for comprehensive engagement from all healthcare providers involved.
Further actions as suggested by the review include a rigorous examination of hormone therapy protocols and a reevaluation of the transition processes from pediatric to adult care services to enhance support for gender-diverse individuals. These developments indicate a potential shift towards more stringent oversight and enhancement of treatment standards within NHS England’s service offerings for gender-diverse youth.
