Achi news desk-
The Cass Review examined sex care services in England and criticized the lack of evidence around the use of adolescent contraceptives and other medical interventions.
Following the publication of her review, two health boards in Scotland – one of which covers the country’s only sex clinic for young people – decided to delay prescribing puberty blockers to new patients.
However, the Conservatives have accused SNP ministers of “giving money” and say the Scottish Government must implement all 32 of Dr Cass’s recommendations.
READ MORE: Hilary Cass’s evidence to MSPs on gender identity services
During the Tory debate on the Cass Review at Holyrood on Wednesday, deputy leader Meghan Gallacher said she intended to continue to raise the issue until all the recommendations are implemented.
He said: “Now that the Greens have been successfully removed from Bute House, this is an opportunity to reset the way we look at gender care in Scotland.
“The nationalists must stop being tired and delaying the implementation of the recommendations of the Cass Review, which they have done since it was commissioned four years ago, and urgently commit to protecting our young people.”
Public health minister Jenni Minto responded on behalf of the Government, saying it was important to “carefully consider” the pediatrician’s review.
He said Dr Cass was a “senior and well-respected clinician” and her review was an “evidence-based scientific document”.
Ms Minto said the Government had funded research by the University of Glasgow on sex care services and that a multidisciplinary team in the Chief Medical Officer’s directorate was examining the implications of the Cass Review for Scotland.
He said: “The chief medical officer will provide a written update to Parliament on the outcome of that clinical consideration process before the summer recess.”
READ MORE: Harvie comments on Cass review SNP MLAs admit Yousaf
Speaking during the debate, Labor Lady Jackie Baillie said staff at the Sandyford clinic in Glasgow were doing an “amazing job” but were not being supported to do so.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said he was worried the Scottish Parliament’s track record on trans rights was about to change.
He said that very few contributions in the debate had mentioned trans people themselves, and he said that there was a context of “a wave of transphobia with the views of marginalized people being rarely heard”.
