1,000 children referred to sex change clinic

2,800pc rise in demand in 4 years

MORE than 1,000 children have been referred to Scotland’s sex-change clinic in just over four years.

Hundreds of youngsters under 16 were sent last year to the Sandyford service in Glasgow for treatment for gender dysphoria, the sense someone has of being in the wrong gender.

The figures, up from 34 in 2014, mean there has been a rise of people seeking treatment of 2,800 per cent, with 1,002 referred in the past four-and-a-half years, according to NHS statistics released under Freedom of Information laws.

But it is thought the number may have been much higher had it not been for restrictions to treatment caused by the pandemic.

Since 2015/16, 51 girls under 18 have also been assessed for breastremoval surgery to become male.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Annie Wells said: ‘Young people are undoubtedly much more aware of gender identity than their parents were because of increasing visibility and discussion in the media and wider society. It may be that this is responsible for more referrals.

‘Families will probably welcome the offer of counselling services.

But there should definitely be more transparency around what is happening to all these young people after referral.’

Last night, campaigners raised fears that many youngsters are feeling pressured into seeking gender reassignment.

Trina Budge, founder of campaign group forwomen.scot said: ‘Teenagers are presenting... at gender dysphoria clinics for the first time and there seems to be a combination of social pressure from schools and lobbying groups as well as from social media.’

A High Court ruling in England last year made it more difficult for children under 16 to be prescribed so-called ‘puberty blocker’ medication as a first step towards changing sex.

However, the ruling didn’t apply to Scotland.

Sandyford is Scotland’s only NHS specialist sexual health service and, although based solely in Glasgow, accepts under-18 referrals from across the country.

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: ‘The service for children and young people has developed over the course of the past decade.

‘It has sought to expand and adapt to the increased demand that we have witnessed.’