So the NHS interim report has been released - seems things are heading in the right direction 😎
Overall, the new service specification recommends a watchful, careful exploratory approach tailored to the needs of each individual child/adolescent.
The new specification establishes that:
• Gender incongruence or distress may be a transient phase leading to a range of different outcomes.
• There is a high incidence of co-existing mental health/neurodevelopmental complexities in a significant number of children, requiring careful exploration.
And recommends that:
• The service is provided by established paediatric units with a strong partnership with mental health services, a strong track record of research in children and robust safeguarding frameworks in place.
• The primary intervention is psychosocial/psychological support and intervention.
• Individual care plans are based on a standardised approach to assessment and diagnosis.
• The approach is open to exploring all developmentally appropriate options for children.
• There is built-in support for local services through professional liaison and collaboration to meet the wider needs of children and young people.
• The service will take part in continuing data collection.
We are pleased to note that:
• Children will only be referred to the service through medical health professionals, not through schools, colleges or lobby groups.
• Children and their families will be strongly discouraged from accessing unregulated sources and providers of hormone treatments.
• Social transition is recognised as an active intervention needing careful consideration in each individual case.
• The Multidisciplinary Team will include professionals with expertise in child safeguarding, child and adolescent development, autism and children who are in the care system, and the team will have understanding of the wider social context and contested debate.
• Puberty blockers will only be prescribed within a formal research programme with adequate follow-up into adulthood.