NHS trans treatment may not need parents’ consent

CHILDREN could be allowed to undergo trans treatment on the NHS without parental consent if legal campaigners win a new court challenge.

The Good Law Project is arguing that NHS England is unlawfully discriminating against under-16s by requiring them to have parental consent before they are prescribed puberty blockers.

Sources within the NHS warned that the case could “dismantle the safeguards” put in place. Campaigners also raised concerns about the waste of taxpayers’ money in defending the case.

The Good Law Project, led by lawyer Jolyon Maugham, announced yesterday that they had been given permission to apply for a judicial review with a case set to be heard at the High Court later this year. They will argue that the NHS has breached its duty to those wishing to change gender because they are not meeting waiting list targets of beginning treatment for 92 per cent of trans patients within 18 weeks of referral. It comes at a time when the NHS is struggling to hit any of its key waiting lists.

Mr Justice Choudhury, who granted permission to apply for a judicial review, noted that the NHS makes a “powerful case” in requiring under-16s to have permission from parents and a review board is “actually about safeguarding”.

The Good Law Project is bringing the claim alongside two adult claimants, two child claimants, and trans campaign group Gendered Intelligence.

An NHS spokesman said: “The NHS has safeguarding measures in place to ensure children receive safe and appropriate care. The independent Cass review, which NHS England commissioned, will ultimately inform the best future model of care for children and young people.”