Achi news desk-
The Cass Review’s final report, published last week, said children had been let down by a lack of research and evidence on the use of puberty blockers and hormones, in a debate it said had become extremely toxic.
The committee’s letter comes after two health boards in Scotland on Thursday stopped prescribing puberty blockers to new patients, a move welcomed by Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray.
In its letter to Mr Yousaf, the Education, Children and Young People’s Committee said: “The recent publication of the Cass Review has highlighted significant concerns about the way transgender, non-binary and gender questioning children and young people access sex. identity services in England, and the evidence underpinning current practice.
READ MORE: It is not appropriate to respond to the Cass Review ‘quickly’ says the Scottish Government
“The committee acknowledges that there will undoubtedly be similar services in England and those that are currently provided to children and young people in Scotland.
“Clarification is urgently needed about how the Scottish Government intends to take forward the report’s findings in the Scottish context.”
The committee said that it believes that a comprehensive assessment of the impact on children’s rights and welfare should be carried out to ensure that issues are fully investigated, and that the rights of all children and young people across Scotland are protected.
He added: “Furthermore, the committee is of the opinion that a clear timetable should be provided for Scotland’s response to the Cass Review, so that children and young people, parents/carers and clinicians can be reassured that the significant issues raised by Dr Cass will. be fully considered in Scotland and acted upon without delay.”
On Thursday, NHS Glasgow and Greater Clyde (NHSGGC) and NHS Lothian said they had suspended the prescription of puberty blockers to new patients.
They said the decision came with the support of Scotland’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Gregor Smith, following a review by Dr Cass and the same decision being made south of the border.
NHSGGC covers Scotland’s only gender clinic for under-18s, while NHS Lothian provides care for those aged 17 and over at its Chalmers gender identity clinic.
Mr Gray said it was right for the decision to be made by clinicians rather than politicians, adding that the Government and boards were considering the recommendations of the Cass Review.
The Scottish Government has received a request for comment on the letter to Mr Yousaf.
