Not entirely sure how to fully word what I mean in a delicate and accurate way, but I had to go to GOSH every year up until the age of 16 and it genuinely saddens and worries me to see GOSH being used in this way.
To a certain extent I understand why, children hospital, children's issue (I guess, I don't really subscribe to the "trans kids" notion, but hey ho).
Yes there are a range of issues that are treated at GOSH, but from my experience at least, I saw that the majority of patients there were children who were quite seriously ill with either long term or short term conditions, all physical from what I could tell. The ones who weren't seriously ill were mostly "in and outers" for not even a full afternoon from what I recall seeing personally - and it just doesn't strike me as right to have Gender Identity stuff within the same hospital.
It just feels... Inappropriate? Insensitive? I'm not sure of the right word to use here.
The mood was always... Idk, hard to describe.
Sad, but happy/optimistic/childlike.
Every effort was made to make children feel better about having to be there. Art on the walls, murals, toys, climbing frames for those able, softer play for those less able, books, videos, etc. But you could tell from the parents vibes and faces that it was a bitter-sweet sort of scenario that came across as tbh, almost sorrowful - Ofc it's not exactly fun to have your child need such care.
When I was younger I didn't have the words for it, but as I grew older I understood it a bit more and could see it for what it all was - It was making the best out of a shit situation.
It just seems... Not the right place.
If it needs to exist, it needs to be separate from that type of place imo.
With that in mind, though ofc I have absolutely no idea what the gender service within GOSH will look like, it worries me that it will mirror the "Trans kids" imagery you see in schools/online with that almost... indoctrination type of feel I guess? (I don't think that's the word I'm looking for) Making it look all "hip" and "cool" and "easy" and like something you can "just do".
The style of the hospital before was more in the vein of "We're sorry you have to be here, so we'll make it as pleasant for you/not scary as we can"
But I worry that GI stuff will be portrayed in more of an ideological way if that makes any sense at all, sort of like... Idk "echo chamber-y" and positive I guess.
I'm really struggling with how to phrase things in a way that comes across how I'd like them to today - my brain feels like mush, but I hope this makes sense :S
Maybe other posters have had experiences with GOSH and will understand where I'm trying to come from?
On the face of it, this line from the above link seems reassuring;
"It will evolve over time in line with emerging best practice and evidence at our service and nationally and globally."
But I feel as though that really depends on what sources for "best practice and evidence" they're taking their queues from.
If it's thoroughly captured affirm only PoV... Well... That's worrying.
If they're open to listening to any and all sides of research, then brilliant!