All recommendations in report on gender identity services

HUMZA Yousaf has responded to calls for a ban on puberty blockers for young people following the publication of the Cass Review last week.

The review, led by consultant paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass, looked into the provision of gender identity services for children and young people within the NHS in England.

In her final report, Cass made a series of recommendations, including advising “extreme caution” in prescribing puberty blockers and hormones to under-18s due to a lack of “high quality” research into their long-term effects.

It also said the “exceptional toxicity” of public debate surrounding transgender identity was doing nothing to help young people seeking treatment.

Speaking on Good Morning

Scotland yesterday, the First Minister said it was wise to “take time over” the findings of the 400-page report and insisted decisions on next steps were a matter for clinicians to decide.

He added that “all recommendations” within the report would be considered, including a ban on children’s puberty blockers and that there “wasn’t a case” to close the Sandyford centre in Glasgow, which provides these services as well as other sexual health services.

The Scottish Government has been criticised by the Scottish Conservatives for not yet making a decision, with NHS England confirming children south of the Border will no longer routinely be prescribed such treatments at a gender identity clinic.

“It’s worth taking the time to delve into what Dr Hillary Cass is saying in terms of not just the

It’s worth taking time to delve into what Cass says