Observer articles on fast tracking at the Tavistock clinic

[nellodee]

I haven't seen these linked on here yet:

www.theguardian.com/society/2018/nov/03/real-life-butterfly-families-transgender-child-tavistock-clinic

www.theguardian.com/society/2018/nov/03/tavistock-centre-gender-identity-clinic-accused-fast-tracking-young-adults

From your second link.
At Mermaids, we see that a delay in necessary medical intervention can have a negative effect on the wellbeing of a trans child – an inability to concentrate at school, to engage with their peers... because they are not getting the support they need in time

Promoting the fast-tracking of gender non conforming children onto a medicalisation pathway as standard.

Delay in treatment is causing them to loose concentration at school - quick, put them on puberty blockers that knock their IQ back 8 points as soon as possible!

The trust is concerned by the tone and manner in which these allegations have been made.

Tenner bet it’s an woman who has blown the whistle and she’s not been sufficiently ‘nice’ 🙄

"The mother of a child waiting for an appointment at the Tavistock explained: “There isn’t anything rapid about the onset of being trans, though for some parents I can understand it feels like it happens suddenly – their child just suddenly comes out with it and wants to immediately start living as their true gender, at least at home." "

One experience, or indeed one perception of that experience, applies to all? In order to provide appropriate diagnosis and medical treatment there needs to be an evidence base built on proper research.

Good to see these stories in the Observer. The paper has been much less in thrall to the trans lobby than the Guardian - I wonder if there’s a rift?

The problem is that kids end up at the Tavistock from different paths, some will have been expressing dysphoria for years and parents hoping it would go away, early signs of puberty have triggered seeking medical help, for others it's a case of the child announcing it and requesting seeing a dr immediately/referral from psychiatrist being seen for other reasons. If a kids has been saying it for many years, fast tracking is far more appropriate thus

I'm really uncomfortable with under 18's having anything but counselling because I know those who have changed their minds, but I think I'm in the minority now.

"The mother of a child waiting for an appointment at the Tavistock explained:

Observer journalists and GIDS may not be aware of the position, influence and online activity of some parents such as

Helen twitter.com/mimmymum?lang=en-gb
Fiercemum twitter.com/FierceMum?lang=en-gb
Dadtrans twitter.com/dadtrans
growinguptransgender.com/

or of the direct challenge some parents and prominant TRAs are making to the Tavistock GIDS:

Good to see these stories in the Observer. The paper has been much less in thrall to the trans lobby than the Guardian - I wonder if there’s a rift?

Will we get a second wailing letter from the US Guardian staff?

The thread so far doesn’t convey the context: it’s a front page column linking to a two page spread which mentions many of the unmentionables e.g.
Autism
Social contagion
That parents may encourage a trans child because that’s better than a gay one.

Just six weeks ago the only articles were about whether dissenting voices should be heard.

I think it is very encouraging. Mermaids has overplayed its hand perhaps....?

Anniehm v interesting thank you. I think you have background?

.....also the front page headline is

“Parents, staff raise concerns over gender identity clinic”.

That is a big deal I think?

I think it is very encouraging. Mermaids has overplayed its hand perhaps....?

Susie Green (CEO Mermaids) is at the international WPATH conference in Argentina this week.

So too Drs Helen & Mike Webberley (online clinics incl. GenderGP).
5/10/18 Health Inspectorate Wales:
"HIW has today successfully prosecuted Online GP Services Ltd and Dr Helen Webberley for illegally providing online healthcare services which require registration under the Care Standards Act 2000

The prosecution follows a period in which Dr Webberley had refused to stop providing services to patients. As a result, HIW proceeded with criminal action against Online GP Services Ltd and Dr Webberley for operating a service without being registered under Section 11 of the Care Standards Act 2000.

Both Online GP Services Ltd and Dr Webberley were found guilty at Merthyr Magistrates court today. Sentencing will take place on 3 December 2018.

Mermaids continue to link to GenderGP on their website as part of 'resources for professionals':
www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/resources-for-professionals.html

The phrasing of this about the criticism is a bit bizarre:

"They reveal a negative attitude to gender dysphoria and gender identity which does not reflect the views or the approach of the trust."

A negative attitude? Would they use the phrase "a negative attitude to depression"?

Suggesting there could be wider social reasons for a condition does not imply a "negative" attitude to that condition. That sentence is quite troubling.

I see Mermaids have stepped back from claiming that not affirming trans is a fast track to suicide, instead rolling back to struggling at school. Glad to see these pieces published, a definite change of tone.

I’m concerned there is any suggestion that the tavi might be fast tracking or not doing its job properly. I always thought they were quietly getting on with things in a proper way - 90% of referrals end up getting on ok in their own bodies etc.

What’s the actual politics? The medical directors comment is ludicrous!

And she suggested that “some families were terrified they’ve got a gay child and would much rather transition them to the opposite sex”.

Now I wonder which CEO this reminds me of?

‘A negative attitude to gender dysphoria’ is odd. People with gender dysphoria are unhappy (hence the dys). Are we supposed to be glad about this ?

Or are we now supposed to say that not only is it cis normative to challenge trans ideology but it’s also happiness normative because being dysphoric is a human right which should be celebrated

That's such an interesting quote isn't it?

Who would have a positive attitude to gender dysphoria? Who would rejoice in their child being so uncomfortable in their own body that they required lifelong medication and body altering surgery?

Parents of children with other serious conditions campaign for more research into PREVENTING those conditions as well as better medical treatment of them. No emotionally healthy parent wants a child who is not at ease with their own body.

Who would have a positive attitude to gender dysphoria? Who would rejoice in their child being so uncomfortable in their own body that they required lifelong medication and body altering surgery?

This seems to have come about because of the gay/trans comparison. Being gay is not an illness, therefore being trans (gender dysphoria) is not an illness. But if you use that argument, why does gender dysphoria need any medical treatment?

I’m concerned there is any suggestion that the tavi might be fast tracking or not doing its job properly

I expect they are under immense pressure both from some people internally who feel they need to be more gung ho and also from TRAs.

I expect they are under immense pressure both from some people internally who feel they need to be more gung ho and also from TRAs.

This from dadtrans on twitter:
time to carry out a formal independent review of systemic transphobia within the Gender Identity Development Service. Time to speak to current service users whose complaints have been ignored.

mobile.twitter.com/DadTrans/status/1058848400018472960

It's in the Mail too and I immediately honed in on the same quote

It continued: 'The trust is concerned by the tone and manner in which these allegations have been made. They reveal a negative attitude to gender dysphoria and gender identity which does not reflect the views or the approach of the trust.'

That is a very Orwellian quote indeed.

It's telling isn't it? "Every aspect of the trans experience must be celebrated!" It only takes a moment's though to see how that might cause problems.

It would be great if we could get an explanation of what "systemic transphobia" is.

I think everyone will get caught in the net.

So we are supposed to have a positive attitude not just to gender identity, but also to gender dysphoria. So is gender dysphoria a distressing condition which adversely affects the lives of its sufferers, or is it a condition which should be celebrated and encouraged?