NHS sets out ‘safer’ care plan for child gender services

NHS England hopes the changes will also help reduce waiting times.

A freedom of information request by PA Media, released this week, showed the average waiting time was 100 weeks for the 5,700 under-18s on the waiting list for specialist gender care. The youngest individual on the waiting list was under five years old.

NHS England also said trials to gather evidence on the risks and benefits of using puberty blockers was due to start in 2025.

Dr Cass said she was “pleased” NHS England was pushing ahead with implementing her recommendations.

Much of the medical establishment has been supportive of the changes she recommended.

But the British Medical Association has been critical, calling for the ban on puberty blockers to be lifted.

BMA leader Prof Phil Banfield said while the announcement by NHS England provided ‘clarity’ for patients there needed to be more done to improve care.

He said the BMA was carrying out its own evaluation into what should be provided.