The militant doctors union last night sparked outrage by vowing to fight the introduction of the landmark Cass review into NHS gender identity services for children.
The British Medical Association revealed it will form its own group of members and trans patients to ‘publicly critique’ the inquiry’s findings and bring its own influence on policy.
It is opposed to the planned ban on puberty blockers being prescribed to what it said are ‘victimised’ trans children.
The BMA’s governing council voted to take action in a private meeting earlier this month but the union only disclosed the result yesterday.
The British Medical Association revealed it will form its own group of members and trans patients to ‘publicly critique’ the inquiry’s findings and bring its own influence on policy (pictured: Trans rights activists take part in a protest against the ban on hormone blockers in April)
Leading paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass made more than 30 recommendations to overhaul NHS services in a bid to improve care offered to trans-children
Leading paediatrician Dr Hilary Cass made more than 30 recommendations to overhaul NHS services in a bid to improve care offered to trans-children.
Her report, published this April, took almost four years to produce and found children ‘caught in the middle’ of a toxic row over treatment have been set on a path to irreversible change.
She warned evidence for the use of puberty blockers and hormones relied heavily on ‘shaky foundations’ and associated guidelines were not supported by science.
Its findings were backed by the Royal College of GPs and the Royal College of Psychiatrists and prompted the Tory health secretary Victoria Atkins to ban the prescribing of puberty blockers to trans children, a policy continued by her Labour successor Wes Streeting.
But the BMA claims the ban is ‘discriminating against [transgender people] by blocking their access to healthcare’.
The union’s report will be produced in less than six months and presented to its governing council in January next year.
NHS England was quick to hit back at the BMA last night as it declared its full confidence in Dr Cass’ ‘comprehensive’ report and reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing its recommendations.
The government also confirmed it ‘will be implementing Dr Cass’ recommendations.’
Helen Joyce, director of advocacy of campaign group Sex Matters, said: ‘It is scarcely believable that the doctors’ trade union voted in favour of a motion making baseless claims about methodological weaknesses in the Cass Review.
‘This wide-ranging work took four years and is far and away the most authoritative synthesis of the evidence concerning the treatment of gender-distressed children and young people.
Its findings were backed by the Royal College of GPs and the Royal College of Psychiatrists and prompted the Tory health secretary Victoria Atkins to ban the prescribing of puberty blockers to trans children, a policy continued by her Labour successor Wes Streeting (above)
Professor Philip Banfield (pictured), chairman of BMA Council, said: ‘It is vitally important we take time and care to get this work right’
‘It is a sign of how far fringe ideas about ‘gender identity’ have progressed in medicine that this motion was not dismissed out of hand.
‘The Secretary of State for Health should stand firm and continue to implement the Cass Review in full.
‘Too many gender-distressed children have already been harmed by clinicians who put ideology before their patients’ health and well-being.’
The motion passed by the BMA Council said: ‘Following the publication of the Cass Review on Gender Identity Services for children and young people, this meeting is concerned about its impact on transgender healthcare provision because of its unsubstantiated recommendations driven by unexplained study protocol deviations, ambiguous eligibility criteria, and exclusion of trans-affirming evidence.’
It committed the union to ‘publicly critique the Cass Review’ and ‘lobby and work with other relevant organisations and stakeholders to oppose the implementation of the recommendations made by the Cass Review’.
It also pledged to ‘condemn the increasing political transphobia which is ostracising transgender people and discriminating against them by blocking their access to healthcare.’
Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of BMA Council, said: ‘It is vitally important we take time and care to get this work right.
‘This is a highly specialised area of healthcare for children and young adults with complex needs, and as doctors we want to be sure they get the most appropriate care and the support they need.
‘It is time that we truly listen to this group of important, valued, and unfortunately often victimised people.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘The Cass Review is a robust report backed by clinicians and firmly grounded in evidence.
‘NHS England will be implementing Dr Cass’s recommendations so that children and young people get the safe, holistic care and support they need.
‘We do not support a delay to vital improvements from the NHS to gender services.’
