NHS review of adult 'gender' services

[ArabellaScott]

https://www.bmj.com/content/386/bmj.q1788

Starts in September. Headed by Dr David Levy.

'NHS England is carrying out a review of adult gender dysphoria clinics with a remit to explore “broad concerns and issues” reported by “concerned clinicians” during the Cass review of gender identity services for under 18s.
Their concerns reflect similar problems found with services for under 18s, including limited time for assessing patients, expectations that hormones would be prescribed, and lax consent procedures.
The review of adult clinics, announced last week, is expected to last two years and will start in September. It will be led by David Levy, medical director for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, with support from a panel of expert clinicians, patients, and stakeholders, including representatives of the Care Quality Commission, royal colleges, and professional bodies, NHS England announced in a letter to Hilary Cass, chair of the review of gender identity services for under 18s.1

'Dr Levy will now chair a new national improvement programme for adult gender services, starting in 2026'

I notice the report cited the DSM, whereas I understood the NHS use the ICD?

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/18/david-levy-review-nhs-gender-clinics-england

Good.article from the Guardian.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2025-12-18/hcws1214

Statement from both houses.

There were some who spoke to Hilary Cass about their concerns about how the clinics were run.

Cass said that during the course of her three-year investigation into children’s gender services, she was approached by a number of staff members working in adult gender clinics. They reported inadequate consent processes, limited explanation of the risks involved in treatment, “chaotic” administrative processes, “out of control” waiting lists, an absence of national treatment guidelines regarding use of hormones and a lack of systematic processes for follow-up.

Cass was told that patients were not always informed of “the irreversibility of some of the effects” of treatment. Some clinicians told her they were concerned that their colleagues failed to correct or challenge patients’ “magical thinking”, “ie unrealistic beliefs about what could achieved through medical transition”, she wrote in the letter sent in May and published on the NHS England website earlier this month.

NHS plans review of adult gender services following Cass criticisms | NHS | The Guardian

Nothing from Wes about the complete lack of outcome data. But the waiting times are too long!

What is wrong with these people??!

Why are MNetters more concerned about the outcomes for trans people that their so-called allies?

Trust the bbc to single out that bit to garner sympathy 'these poor ppl having to wait' and ignoring the rest of the report which points out the absolute scandalous lack of evidence/data/follow up for this so called 'treatment'

They are either scared - of backlash/litigation - or they are actively complicit.

https://goodlawproject.org/the-levy-review-has-been-published/

'Good Law Project’s trans rights lead, Jess O’Thomson, cautiously welcomed a number of the recommendations, while noting that there are still issues of concern.
“The review identifies the major barriers to accessing trans healthcare,” O’Thomson said, “and the serious impact this is having on patients. Urgent action is needed, and many of the recommendations – if properly resourced – would significantly improve provision. It is concerning that NHS England, in its response, does not commit to an increase in resources to enable these recommendations.
“Some of the recommendations may also be problematic – requiring, for example, that first appointments are conducted by senior clinicians may impose additional barriers to accessing care. And it is vital that GPs do not use this as an excuse to withdraw longstanding healthcare arrangements for existing patients.
“The obvious solution,” O’Thomson continued, “is to adopt an informed consent model of trans healthcare, provided at primary level, rather than relying on gatekeepers.”'

Ooh, they don't like those 'gatekeepers', do they? Otherwise known as 'data' and 'evidence' and 'reality'.

I'm minded of this:

https://www.tumblr.com/edinburghath/163521055802/trans-health-manifesto

'We will express our needs, and they will be met. We will change our bodies however we want. We will have universally accessible and freely available hormones & blockers, surgical procedures, and any other relevant treatments and therapies. We will end the medical gatekeeping of our bodies'

Never to be forgotten.

I knew David Levy quite well in the NHS. He never struck me as a chap with strong guiding principles but he was a decent man with a low tolerance for poor medical practice.

Can we ask the prime minister: Do you think all departments in the NHS should stop keeping records?

Don't go giving him ideas.