Labour has announced that they will be accepting all recommendations made in the Cass report, a major review of gender identity healthcare that has highlighted serious concerns about the treatment of children in gender services.
The report, conducted by Dr Cass, found that gender services for children have been operating on “shaky foundations” with weak evidence to support treatments. In response to the findings, Labour’s shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has stated that children and young people have been “badly let down” and have been receiving treatment that is not evidence-based.
Cooper emphasized the importance of implementing the recommendations outlined in the report swiftly, and expressed a willingness to work with the government to do so. She also addressed concerns about doctors and clinicians feeling unable to speak out against current practices, stating that she hopes the report will serve as a “watershed moment” for NHS gender services.
Changes have already been made in response to the report, such as halting the NHS’s provision of puberty blockers to children. However, Cooper highlighted the need to address the continued use of these treatments in private settings. She also stressed the importance of involving parents in decisions about their children’s healthcare, including social transitioning.
Overall, the Cass report has shed light on the shortcomings of current gender services for children and has prompted calls for urgent action to improve the quality of care and support provided to young people in need. Labour’s acceptance of the report’s recommendations signals a commitment to addressing these issues and prioritizing the well-being of children in the healthcare system.