Dr Hilary Cass, a retired consultant paediatrician, has submitted her final report and recommendations to NHS England following the Independent Review of gender identity services for children and young people.
The final report makes 32 recommendations, saying that children have been let down by the care in place and have been receiving treatment that’s not based on evidence.
Dr Cass said the number of young people seeking gender services has gone up dramatically from less than 50 a year to more than 3,000 a year.
The report says there is no simple explanation for that increase, but there is broad agreement that it’s a result of a complex interplay between biological, psychological and social factors that is different for each individual.
Her report called for gender services to operate to the same standards as other health services for children and young people, with more focus on holistic support.
An NHS spokesperson said the health service is “very grateful” for Dr Cass’s work, and it will set out a full implementation plan following careful consideration of this final report and its recommendations.
The report has been hailed as a “watershed moment” by Mark Russell, chief executive of The Children’s Society.
In this episode of The Standard podcast, our Health Reporter Daniel Keane discusses what prompted the review into gender care in the NHS, and explains some of the key recommendations from Dr Cass’s report.
Daniel also explains why the key message from Dr Cass is for less anger around the gender debate, and a stronger focus on the NHS care itself.
Listen above, find us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you stream your podcast.
