Children on puberty blockers ‘faced lack of psychological support’
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Children prescribed puberty blockers and hormones at Scotland’s “tartan Tavistock” gender clinic have faced the risk of being left with no psychological support, NHS documents show.
Minutes of a meeting held last year show that crisis talks were arranged between staff at the Sandyford Centre in Glasgow’s child service and endocrinologists, who prescribe the controversial drugs, to discuss potential dangers to young patients amid a staffing crisis.
The records, obtained under Freedom of Information laws and seen by The Telegraph, raised new fears that patients are being failed at Scotland’s only gender identity clinic for children following the publication of the landmark Cass Report.
Dr Hilary Cass this week criticised the “affirmative” care model adopted by Sandyford and warned that US guidelines which the service is modelled on were not fit for purpose.
The paediatrician emphasised the importance of psychological support and assessments for children experiencing gender issues, saying “a medical pathway” may not be the correct route, as distress may be rooted in other problems.
However, in May last year, the National Gender Identity Clinical Network Scotland Steering Group, which is made up of NHS staff and trans rights activists, discussed a lack of available psychological support at Sandyford’s child and young people’s gender service.
“Staffing levels were approaching critical levels,” the records state.
“The service had been having meetings with the Greater Glasgow and Clyde mental health service and the paediatric endocrinology team in the West. They were also due to meet with the endocrinology team in the East.
“These meetings have been to discuss the issues and the risks to patients on treatment without having psychology input available.”
The SNP Government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which runs Sandyford, have pledged to consider the Cass review but have not committed to implementing any of its findings.
The clinic continues to refer patients for possible prescription of puberty blockers, despite a ban in England and Dr Cass warning that they are potentially dangerous with little evidence of effectiveness.
‘A beleaguered mess for some time’
“Even without the final Cass Report, which should surely drive the final nail into the coffin of the service, it is clear that Sandyford’s children and young people’s clinic has been in a beleaguered mess for some time,” Trina Budge, a director at the For Women Scotland campaign group, said.
“Critically low levels of staff combined with soaring referrals of ever younger children has led to a failing service where, by their own admission, children cannot get the psychological support they need.
“Families must be desperately worried and the health board really should grab the lifeline thrown to it by Cass and urgently redesign a service away from the activist led affirmation model.”
Meanwhile, SNP ministers have rejected a call from the Scottish Tories to make a ministerial statement in response to the Cass Report when Holyrood returns next week.
Meghan Gallacher, the deputy leader of the Scottish Tories, said: “The lack of psychological input available to young people accessing these services is deeply alarming.
“The wellbeing of young people should be absolutely paramount. It is incredibly concerning to see children’s mental health seemingly being ignored.”
‘Vulnerable young Scots deserve clarity’
The MSP also described the SNP’s refusal to make a ministerial statement as “extremely disappointing”.
“Vulnerable young Scots and their families deserve clarity on this very serious issue,” she added.
“Ministers must heed the recommendations of the Cass Review and in the meantime, at the very least, immediately pause the use of puberty blockers.”
Between 2016 and December last year, almost 100 children aged 16 or under were referred to endocrinologists for possible puberty blocker prescriptions by the Scottish clinic, where there are more than 1,100 on the waiting list for an appointment.
A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “Every young person who is receiving treatment through our Young People’s Gender Service has a named psychologist and undergoes regular mental health reviews.
“At no time has any patient received treatment without appropriate mental health assessments and support being provided.
“The papers that are referred to describe the potential risk of this, rather than what was actually happening.”
