Gender clinics will be told they must hand over crucial data tracking the fate of 9,000 trans children treated on the NHS.
Six of the seven NHS services blocked the bombshell Cass review’s probe into the dangers of giving puberty blockers to children, effectively stopping the team from examining the long-term impacts of such treatment.
It is understood NHS England will now order that data on the experiences of trans patients is handed over as part of its own clinical research.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins said ‘nothing less than full co-operation by those clinics in the research is acceptable’.
Sources told the Mail that in the light of Dr Hilary Cass’s report NHS England would take a much tougher approach to clinicians who frustrated attempts to gather any evidence.
Officials will also launch wide-reaching review into adult trans care services, which will serve as a ‘Cass, part two’ that encompasses the whole field.
The scathing 388-page report into child gender services concluded trans children were set on the path to irreversible change despite ‘remarkably weak evidence’ to support medical treatment.
Dr Cass’s (pictured) report concluded this week that trans children were set on the path to irreversible change despite ‘remarkably weak evidence’ to support medical treatment
In a letter to NHS England’s head of specialised commissioning, Dr Cass said it was ‘hugely disappointing that the NHS gender services have decided not to participate with this research’ (Stock Image)
Sources told the Mail that in the light of Dr Hilary Cass’s report, NHS England would take a much tougher approach to clinicians who frustrated attempts to gather evidence (Stock image)
Who will lead the review has not yet been revealed but conceivably it would be a senior medic similar to Dr Cass.
‘It is completely unacceptable that the University of York has not been able to carry out its research to inform the Cass Review because of the lack of participation from adult gender clinics,’ Ms Atkins said.
‘Nothing less than full co-operation by those clinics in the research is acceptable.
‘I have discussed this issue today with the Chief Executive of NHS England, and fully support NHSE in pursuing this.’
An exchange of letters, released alongside the 388-page report, between Dr Cass and NHS directors revealed clinicians had sought to sabotage her work.
In a letter to NHS England’s head of specialised commissioning, Dr Cass said it was ‘hugely disappointing that the NHS gender services have decided not to participate with this research’.
‘I am frustrated on behalf of the young people and their families that the opportunity to reduce some of the uncertainties around care options has not been taken,’ she added.
The research had aimed to track the journeys of around 9,000 young people through the Gender Identity Development Service at the Tavistock Clinic – the only children’s service at that point – through to the seven adult gender clinics based around England.
But they found themselves thwarted by clinicians who were ‘co-ordinated’ and seemed ‘ideologically-driven’, Dr Cass said.
Dr Cass’s remarks prompted campaigners to call on the Government to take decisive action to make sure the review was followed through.
Kate Barker of the LGB Alliance, said: ‘If the NHS refuses to root out activist, ideologically-captured clinicians, then the Government must take direct action to ensure best practice is followed everywhere.
It is deeply troubling that attempts to gather evidence for The Cass Review have been deliberately blocked.
All of its recommendations are at risk whilst institutions remain captured by zealous, anti-science proponents of gender identity ideology.’
It is deeply troubling that attempts to gather evidence for The Cass Review have been deliberately blocked. All of its recommendations are at risk whilst institutions remain captured by zealous, anti-science proponents of gender identity ideology.’
It is deeply troubling that attempts to gather evidence for The Cass Review have been deliberately blocked. All of its recommendations are at risk whilst institutions remain captured by zealous, anti-science proponents of gender identity ideology.’
All of its recommendations are at risk whilst institutions remain captured by zealous, anti-science proponents of gender identity ideology.’
Professor Michael Biggs, board member of charity Sex Matters, said: ‘It is disgraceful that gender clinicians employed by the NHS wilfully obstructed Hilary Cass’s attempt to undertake research.
The research had aimed to track the journeys of around 9,000 young people through the Gender Identity Development Service at the Tavistock Clinic
Labour’s shadow health minister Wes Streeting (pictured) was caught in a row in his own party after he told The Sun’s Never Mind the Ballots programme that Dr Cass’s report ‘does raise some serious concerns that are pretty scandalous’
‘When Dr Cass commissioned independent researchers to study outcomes for young people who had been subjected to endocrinological and surgical interventions, the gender clinicians refused to give the researchers access to patient records. What are they hiding?
‘It is a dereliction of duty. This information is needed by clinicians, the general public and most importantly, future patients and their families.’
And Dr Louise Irvine, GP and co-director of the Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender, added: ‘NHS England must launch the same Cass-style review into adult gender clinics to root out practices not based on evidence and ensure safe holistic evidence-based care.’
Ministers yesterday condemned abuse Dr Cass had suffered after engaging with groups across the spectrum of the trans debate.
One of the key themes of her report was that ‘the toxicity of the debate is exceptional’ and had left professionals in fear of speaking out.
Health minister Maria Caulfield warned private clinics prescribing puberty blockers and hormones to children must fall into line.
She said: ‘It is unacceptable Dr Cass faced abuse carrying out this important review which is ultimately designed to protect vulnerable children and adults. We expect private providers to follow suit by taking into account the recommendations of the Cass Review.’
Labour’s shadow health minister Wes Streeting was caught in a row in his own party after he told The Sun’s Never Mind the Ballots programme that Dr Cass’s report ‘does raise some serious concerns that are pretty scandalous’.
He told NHS trusts that refuse to co-operate ‘that you’re not going to get away with it’ under a Labour government. His comments were attacked by Labour-aligned groups, the hard-Left Momentum faction, and Labour For Trans Rights. Dr Cass’s report made 32 recommendations for the future of gender identity services for children in England.
Source: Mail Online
