Irish teenagers are ‘fast-tracked to sex change treatment in London clinic’
A UK centre that treats Irish teenagers who question their gender identity is investigating claims that patients are being ‘fasttracked’ through the system due to an upsurge in demand.
Irish doctors have expressed concerns for the teenagers, and stress the need for a dedicated paediatric transgender centre in Ireland.
It has also emerged that London centre Tavistock has seen more than 1,000 children aged under 18 since 2011 – of those 372 have moderate-to-severe autistic traits.
The only NHS transgender clinic for children in Britain – and the first port of call for Irish children – was last night accused of burying these figures, discovered by an internal ‘practice review’ by leading clinicians.
Stephanie Davies-Arai, founder of parental campaign group Transgender Trends in the UK, said: ‘The fact a third of these patients have autistic traits is of huge concern. I would expect clinical professionals to be seriously investigating it.
‘But nobody from the Tavistock Clinic has made a statement or done anything to highlight the issue. In any other clinical area, there would be alarm bells ringing. We urgently need to look into why so many young people on the autistic spectrum are developing gender dysphoria.’
Professor Donal O’Shea, consultant endocrinologist at St Vincent’s and St Columcille’s hospitals in Dublin, told the Irish Mail on Sunday he is ‘very concerned about whether Irish patients are being seen ahead of schedule, or fast-tracked’.
Teenagers questioning their gender identity in Ireland must first avail of services in London, and can then attend a satellite clinic at Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin.
‘Tavistock is meant to be the place that begins the process of transitioning. This highlights the need to establish our own body of experts in Ireland, which is what we are trying to do in the adult area.
‘The biggest spike in referrals is from young people and we need a dedicated service for children… which should come under the National Children’s Hospital,’ said Prof. O’Shea.
He said what is also of huge concern is ‘the emerging link with intellectual disabilities and autism’.
‘There is a big increase in gender issues in that group, in children and young adults. People are always looking to fit in and gender can present a pathway to fitting in. That can make it extremely challenging to be 100% on diagnosis, and to be clear that hormonal therapy and surgery are the right thing,’ added Prof. O’Shea. Dr Paul Moran, consultant psychiatrist with St John of God, also told the MoS that the ‘investigation at Tavistock underlines the need for a properly governed Irish service, including paediatric care’. According to the most recent figures from Ta vis to ck, 35 Irish teenagers attended its services this year.
Some of those moved on to receive puberty blockers and other hormone therapies to prepare them for potential gender-reassignment surgery after they turn 18.
A spokesman for Tavistock said that the majority of Irish teenagers who question their identity do not progress to treatment.
No response was received from Crumlin hospital or the HSE on this issue when asked what discussions they have had with Tavistock, and if their relationship with the centre is under review.
In a statement, Tavistock said: ‘A document has been produced that makes allegations about the service. In response, our medical director is conducting a review of the issues raised.’ It said all its staff had been ‘encouraged to express their own views about the service’.
Representatives from Teni (Transgender Equality Network Ireland) and BeLonG To, which supports young transgender people, refused to comment.
Moninne Griffith, executive director of BeLonG To, has previously highlighted the need for a specialised Irish clinic, and said that the relationship with Tavistock is potentially ‘under threat because of Brexit’. This, she added, is ‘another urgent reason we need an indigenous clinic in Ireland’.
Prof. O’Shea has cautioned against placing children on puberty blockers and said that, after puberty, their period of gender questioning generally ends.
He added that popular culture, TV programmes and increased awareness and visibility is leading more young people to question their gender identity. Actress Anna Friel is currently starring in ITV drama Butterfly, which focuses on an 11-year-old, who was born male but identifies as a girl.
Meanwhile, 11 key posts to help transgender people were due to be filled by the HSE this year – but no one has taken up the roles. These comprise eight jobs in adult services, and three in child and adolescent services.
In response to queries from the MoS, a HSE spokesman said it is at various stages of recruiting people for four of the eight adult posts, and a fifth part-time worker. No response was received from those overseeing the children’s posts.
Even if filled, medical professionals said the 11 roles are insufficient to meet demand, with referrals in this area rising by 2,100% over a decade. Dr Moran said resource requirements are based on estimates from three years ago.
‘Of huge concern is that a third have autistic traits’ ‘Underlines need for a transgender clinic here’