04-12-2024, 07:30 PM
The Liberal Party welcomes the publication of the report produced by Dr Hilary Cass and her recommendations to NHS England in her role as Chair of the Independent Review of gender identity services for children and young people.
The report makes it clear that "the rationale for early puberty suppression remains unclear, with weak evidence regarding the impact on gender dysphoria, mental or psychosocial health" and that "(t)he effect on cognitive and psychosexual development remains unknown". The report also states that "©linicians are unable to determine with any certainty which children and young people will go on to have an enduring trans identity".
The Liberal Party's position on this matter has always been that there was no medical evidence to support the treatment of gender distressed children and young adults with early puberty blockers and hormones. Dr. Cass' report agrees with this position and further states that "(f)or most young people, a medical pathway to manage their gender-related distress.
For those young people for whom a medical pathway is clinically indicated, it is not enough to provide this without also addressing wider mental health and/or psychosocially challenging problems".
In view of the findings of this report, The Liberal Party urges the Scottish Government to:
1. With immediate effect stop all further medical treatment of children and young adults at by NHS Scotland, including but not limited to the Sandyford Clinic and private health providers.
2. Publish an evidence based, clinically informed strategy to provide lifelong support where sought to all those children and young children that have been treated with puberty blockers and masculinising/feminising hormones to date in Scotland.
3. Revisit the End of Conversion Therapy legislative proposal to incorporate the findings of Dr. Cass' report.
Promoted by Stephen Graham on behalf of the Liberal Party, 12 Dayworth Mews, Lundy Lane, Reading, RG30 2RR.
The report makes it clear that "the rationale for early puberty suppression remains unclear, with weak evidence regarding the impact on gender dysphoria, mental or psychosocial health" and that "(t)he effect on cognitive and psychosexual development remains unknown". The report also states that "©linicians are unable to determine with any certainty which children and young people will go on to have an enduring trans identity".
The Liberal Party's position on this matter has always been that there was no medical evidence to support the treatment of gender distressed children and young adults with early puberty blockers and hormones. Dr. Cass' report agrees with this position and further states that "(f)or most young people, a medical pathway to manage their gender-related distress.
For those young people for whom a medical pathway is clinically indicated, it is not enough to provide this without also addressing wider mental health and/or psychosocially challenging problems".
In view of the findings of this report, The Liberal Party urges the Scottish Government to:
1. With immediate effect stop all further medical treatment of children and young adults at by NHS Scotland, including but not limited to the Sandyford Clinic and private health providers.
2. Publish an evidence based, clinically informed strategy to provide lifelong support where sought to all those children and young children that have been treated with puberty blockers and masculinising/feminising hormones to date in Scotland.
3. Revisit the End of Conversion Therapy legislative proposal to incorporate the findings of Dr. Cass' report.
Promoted by Stephen Graham on behalf of the Liberal Party, 12 Dayworth Mews, Lundy Lane, Reading, RG30 2RR.