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NHS to review gender identity services for children and young people

Role of nurses part of review looking at referrals and treatment for gender dysphoria
Picture shows a child wearing a pink T-shirt with ‘I’m a boy!’ printed on it

Role of nurses to be considered in review covering referrals and treatment for gender dysphoria

Picture shows a child wearing a pink T-shirt with ‘I’m a boy!’ printed on it
Picture: iStock

The NHS has commissioned an independent review of gender identity services for children and young people.

The review will focus on identifying potential improvements to gender identity services, including when and how children and young people are referred to specialist services and how patients with gender dysphoria are cared for.

Increasing numbers of children seeking treatment through gender identity services

RCN professional lead for children and young people’s nursing Fiona Smith
Fiona Smith, RCN professional lead for `
children and young people’s nursing

It will also make workforce recommendations for specialist healthcare professionals, consider the increasing numbers of children seeking treatment, and investigate issues surrounding the prescribing of puberty-blocking and cross-sex hormone drugs.

RCN professional lead for children and young people’s nursing Fiona Smith said: ‘We very much welcome the independent review on this important topic. 

‘In particular, we stress the importance of listening to young people and families so that services and care provided are appropriately tailored and designed to meet their needs and preferences.’

The review, led by former Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health president Hilary Cass, will make recommendations to NHS England and NHS Improvement’s quality and innovation committee next year.

The best possible support for young people dealing with gender identity issues

Dr Cass said: ‘It is absolutely right that children and young people, who may be dealing with a complexity of issues around their gender identity, get the best possible support and expertise throughout their care.’

She said the process would be inclusive, with everyone having the opportunity to make their views known. ‘In particular I am looking forward to hearing from young people and their families to understand their experiences.’

NHS England’s national LGBT health adviser Michael Brady said: ‘Every child matters, and children and young people who are exploring their gender or experiencing gender dysphoria, including those who are trans or non-binary, deserve the very best from the NHS.

‘This is why this review is so important, so that all health professionals can deliver the very best healthcare in a compassionate and understanding way.’

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