The Cass Review - Letter to NHS England January 2023 providing a progress update on the Review

[IwantToRetire]

We have discussed previously the fact that the commissioned data linkage study (part of our quantitative research programme), which represents a unique opportunity to collect longer-term outcome data on this population, has been much more complex than initially envisaged, and is taking longer to establish. However, I am pleased to say that we have now received provisional approvals and will soon be moving into the next phase of the work, which will involve detailed information for service users and the option to opt out before commencement of any data collection. The full protocol will be published on our website.

I anticipate that by the summer, in addition to the strands of work described above, we will have some information on the intermediate outcomes for children and young people with gender dysphoria, as well as the changing characteristics of this group, using data which is already routinely collected within the NHS. However, the complexities encountered in establishing the data linkage study means that the full results of this element will likely not be available before the Review is concluded. As you know, we have already had discussions about the logistics of establishing a formal research network (as described in my letter of July 2022) to receive the results of this study, oversee a clinically informed future research programme and ensure translation into clinical practice.

cass.independent-review.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Cass-Review_Letter-to-NHSE_Jan23.pdf

A title suggest little more than an update on work being done.

Also, but cant see date:

Response to NHS England consultation: Draft interim service specification for specialist gender dysphoria services for children and young people

The Review has submitted a response to NHS England’s consultation on the draft interim service specification for specialist gender dysphoria services for children and young people.

cass.independent-review.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Cass-Review-Consultation-Response-FINAL-SUBMSSION.pdf

Okay - can see from the web link that this was December 2022. Strange not to have the document itself dated.

This is interesting. It’s the first time I’ve seen anyone mention that it’s not just GIDS that has had a noticeable shift in the sex ratio of referrals, the adult services are observing the same thing.

As the extract notes, some of these will be the teenage girls who sat on the GIDS wait list so long they aged out of paediatrics, but not all of them.

I’m wondering if this will result in extending the recommendations made for the new paediatric clinics so that they apply right up to the age of 25? Possibly by separating all the existing GICS into two wait lists and two clinical services?

Oh, and this should pick up some of the teens that the Webberlys prescribe to (GIDS aren’t allowed to half in/half out with private providers the way the adult GICS are, so they discharge the teens whose parent’s enable it via GenderGP)