Six new regional centres created to support under 18s struggling with their gender identity will open over the next two years, NHS England has confirmed. They will join two existing clinics, as part of an overhaul of gender services for children and young people. The emphasis will be on providing a more holistic approach, with a particular focus on supporting mental health and those with conditions such as autism.
It follows a ban earlier this year on the routine prescription of puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria. The changes come in response to a landmark review published in April, which was critical of the way young people had been supported. The Cass Review – led by paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass – called for better psychological support, noting that young people struggling with their gender had higher rates of mental health problems and neurodiversity - such as autism and ADHD, or had experienced childhood trauma.
Previously, the only NHS clinic providing gender services for children was the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust in London. It was criticised for its approach which relied heavily on medical intervention, using puberty blockers to delay the onset of puberty, despite a lack of evidence the medication had a positive impact. Its services had previously been rated as inadequate by inspectors in January 2021.
The Tavistock clinic was closed in March . Two new services, in London and the north-west of England, were opened in April, run in conjunction .