Achi news desk-
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) and NHS Lothian said the decision came with the support of Scotland’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Gregor Smith, following a review by Dr Hilary Cass in England and the same decision was made south of the border.
NHSGGC covers Scotland’s only gender clinic for 18-year-olds, while NHS Lothian provides care for 17-year-olds and over at its gender identity clinic in Chalmers.
Read more: Puberty blocker prescription stopped in Scotland for new patients
Scottish Health Minister Neil Gray said it was right that the decision would be made by doctors and not politicians, adding that the government and boards were considering the recommendations of the Cass Review.
“The Scottish Government welcomes the joint statement by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lothian confirming their change in clinical policy on the prescribing of adolescent hormone suppressants and cross-sex hormone medicines for young people,” he said.
“We were clear that it was for clinicians and health boards to make decisions about clinical pathways, and that these decisions should be made carefully and based on the best available evidence.
“This is what the two health committees have done and their position is supported by the Chief Medical Officer.
“More broadly, the Cass Review’s final report and findings are being considered closely by both the Scottish Government and health boards, in the context of how such healthcare can best be delivered in Scotland.”
He went on to lament the “toxic” debate around gender issues – mentioned by Dr Cass in her review – and said that those receiving care should be “at the center of our thoughts when we discuss this issue”.
Dr Amelia Creighton, director of public health at NHSGGC, said: “The findings informing the Cass review are important and we have looked at the impact on our clinical pathways.
“The next step from here is to work with the Scottish Government and academic partners to generate evidence that enables us to provide safe care for our patients.
“We echo the views of Dr Hilary Kass that toxicity around public debate is affecting the lives of young people who seek care at our service and does not serve the staff who work hard to care for and support them.
“We understand the distress that a gender mismatch can cause, and while all referrals to endocrinology are delayed, we will continue to give everyone who is referred to the youth gender service the psychological support they require while we review the routes according to the findings.”
The Cass Review criticized the lack of evidence surrounding the use of puberty blockers and other medical interventions, with health boards saying they would work with the government to research the treatments.
According to the changes, those already prescribed the drugs will continue to receive them, but new patients will not.
Today Sandyford’s young gender service announced that they will no longer refer under 18s for endocrine treatments.
Read our full response: https://t.co/pqP2aqPAi9 pic.twitter.com/uMt1kXe1s4
— Scottish Trans (@ScottishTrans) April 18, 2024
The councils said they took the decision to “delay” putting new patients on hormone-suppressing drugs in mid-March following the same decision by NHS England.
Tracey Gillis, senior medical director at NHS Lothian, said: “The Cass review is a significant piece of how the NHS can better support children and young people who face gender dysphoria.
“Patient safety must always be our top priority, and it is right that we are pausing this treatment to allow for further research.”
But two Scottish charities said the decision was wrong.
The Scottish Equality and Trans Network said they were concerned about the impact the decision could have on transgender young people, who they said were rarely prescribed the drugs.
“We are saddened that this change will mean that some young people will not be able to access the care they need at all, or will have to wait even longer for it,” said Trans Scotland director Vic Valentine.
“We want every child or young person to receive the personal care that is right for them at the time that is right for them. We don’t think this decision will allow that.”
The charities called on health boards and the Scottish Government to “urgently prioritise” the research needed to “make sure no child or young person is denied the care they need”.
Since the Cass Review was published, the Scottish Government has faced pressure to respond to its findings, with high-profile politicians including SNP MP Joanna Cherry calling for an end to the use of puberty blockers.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher has repeatedly tried to force a statement from the government on the issue, saying the health board’s decision should have been made “weeks ago”.
She said: “The SNP government has been dragged kicking and screaming towards taking the necessary action to protect vulnerable young people after days of shameful silence and bluster in response to the Cass Review – presumably to appease gender fanatics in the Scottish Greens.
“Humza Yosef repeatedly transferred the money, and insisted that the doctors should decide on the effectiveness of the puberty blockers and said that he would not rush to respond to Kas – when it was clear that decisive action was required.”
Scottish Labor deputy leader Dame Jackie Bailey said she was “pleased” with the decision and urged the government to outline what changes would be made to care following the Cass review.
“The guiding principle of all actions must be to ensure that young people with gender dysphoria receive safe treatment,” she added.
“The Scottish Government’s messaging on the Cass report has been all over the place, leaving the public without clarity on this vital issue.”
Alba Holyrood leader Ash Regan – who resigned from the Scottish Government over her critical views on gender and later defected from the SNP – welcomed the announcement and called for a timetable for a “full response” to the Cass Review recommendations.
