Statement on the final report of the Cass Review - EHRC

[IwantToRetire]

"We welcome the publication of the final Cass Review report.

"As Britain’s equality regulator, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) will carefully consider the evidence base, conclusions and recommendations of the independent review of gender identity services for children and young people. It represents a vital milestone and must result in far-reaching and timely reform to the provision of healthcare and other services by service providers, decision-makers and regulators.

"It is imperative that children and young people who are questioning their gender have access to support and care which is based on robust and reliable evidence which is verifiably objective.

"Those involved in the care and support of gender questioning children and young people must comply with principles of good professional practice and with their legal obligations, including those which protect children and young people from violations of their human rights.

"It is clear from Dr Cass's report that these basic safeguards for our children and young people have been overlooked in the field of gender medicine, and that this has disproportionately affected some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our society.

"Upholding rights in health and social care, and equality for children and young people, are both priorities for the EHRC. Children and young people should have equal opportunities, with equal access to evidence-based healthcare and the support and resources they need to succeed in life. Long waiting times or an inability to access the right advice and support for people questioning their gender are concerns we have raised directly with ministers.

"The Cass Review identifies multiple shortcomings that have existed in many areas. It also highlights the overall lack of support services and their uneven provision. These issues should be addressed.

"We urge all those working with, and providing services for, children and young people to urgently address themselves to the task of implementing Dr Cass's recommendations in full. They must work cooperatively and professionally to deliver the quality services that our children and young people deserve."

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/statement-final-report-cass-review

Kishwer Falkner is another hero. She took on a near impossible job, was subjected to some awful abuse but stuck to her remit.

I am so pleased she will now be vindicated.

Sounds unequivocal.

I do hope, at some point though, people ask why. Why was it so important to medicalise children with no evidence?

Who was driving it?

Also why were so many intent on stopping scrutiny?

Even posters on here

It’s a major scandal

It is imperative that children and young people who are questioning their gender have access to support and care which is based on robust and reliable evidence which is verifiably objective.

“Verifiably objective” is an interesting qualifier to this powerful paragraph. Good statement overall.

One thing I keep noting is the reference to improved access to services for these children and wondering how that ports across to other patient populations with long waits for services and assessment, many covered by other EA2010 PCs.

Dentons

This is what I wonder too - I have a teenager with serious mental health issues, CAMHS have been able to offer very little support and the waiting times have been horrendous.

If all the children waiting for GIDS referrals are going back into the mental health system, either they're going to be waiting just as long for help there, or if they are prioritised, then everyone else already waiting for help will wait even longer. There are huge staff shortages in this area along with very poor funding, so I'd really like to know what the plan is to support both sets of children.

I thought it quite cautious, although maybe at this stage they can only focus on quite a narrow aspect.

Obviously all children with what ever medical needs should have access to good health care that is based on sound practice.

But it avoidw the question at to why there is this increase in children seeking a medical solution.

What about the a stage before that?