In a pivotal move for the National Health Service (NHS), the forthcoming publication of a comprehensive review by consultant paediatrician Hilary Cass is poised to reshape the care of children experiencing gender dysphoria in the UK. This review follows an interim report in February 2022, which led to significant changes in the treatment approach for gender dysphoria, including the decision to close the dedicated gender identity service for children at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust in London.

Cass’s review, initiated in response to the increasing number of referrals to gender identity services, advocates for a more holistic approach to treatment. This proposed model moves away from a purely medical perspective, focusing instead on understanding gender dysphoria within the broader context of a child’s life. It marks a departure from the previous protocol, particularly in relation to the use of puberty blockers, the prescription of which has been suspended due to safety concerns raised in Cass’s interim findings.

The implications of this review are significant, heralding the introduction of new services aimed at offering safer and more effective care. Key among these is the planned establishment of clinics at Great Ormond Street Hospital, designed to provide comprehensive support to children and young people questioning their gender identity. This development in NHS service provision marks a critical step in addressing the complex needs of this patient group.