Latest news with #gendercare
CTV News
28-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Canadian Medical Association files lawsuit challenging gender-care legislation
Aerial shot of the Alberta legislature on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Cam Wiebe/CTV News Edmonton) The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and three Alberta physicians are pursuing a judicial review of Bill 26, known as the province's gender-care legislation. A statement from the CMA said the bill directs physicians on how to deliver gender-affirming care to people under 18, down to which medications they can use. 'This is a historic and unprecedented government intrusion into the physician-patient relationship and requires doctors to follow the law rather than clinical guidelines, the needs of patients and their own conscience,' said the statement issued Wednesday morning. The CMA said it has filed an application with the Court of King's Bench for the judicial review of Bill 26, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 and its proposed changes to the Health Professions Act R.S.A 2000. Bill 26 was introduced on Oct. 31, 2024, to preserve choice for minors identifying as transgender while refocusing the health-care system, according to the province. 'Medicine is a calling. Doctors pursue it because they are compelled to care for and promote the well-being of patients,' said CMA president Joss Reimer in a statement. 'When a government bans specific treatments, it interferes with a doctor's ability to empower patients to choose the best care possible. The CMA said the legislation renders physicians powerless in providing independent expertise, clinical guidance and treatment options when it comes to gender-affirming care. Jake Donaldson, a Calgary-based family physician who provides gender-affirming care to about 40 adolescents, said the legislation has put him and his colleagues in a state of 'moral crisis.' 'These patients are a vulnerable group that already face significant and disproportionate discrimination, violence and mental health challenges,' said Donaldson in a CMA statement. 'Bill 26 commands physicians to stand on the sidelines and watch them suffer.' Since the bill and other transgender legislation was introduced, advocacy groups and families have protested and taken legal action against the province, arguing that Bill 26 violates gender-diverse young people's section 7 right to security of the person, their section 12 right to be free from cruel and unusual treatment and their section 15 right to equality. Part of Bill 26 prohibits gender-affirming 'top' surgeries for minors which went into effect when the bill received royal assent in December 2024. The legislation also bans puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those with gender dysphoria. Egale Canada and Skipping Stone, both LGBTQ2S+ advocacy groups, have requested for an injunction to block the denial of health care for gender diverse youth while the bill faces a constitutional test. Sarah Hoffman, NDP shadow minister of health, said she is pleased to see doctors stand with their patients in opposing UCP law. 'When medical experts and parents agree on safe medical treatment, the government shouldn't be preventing it,' said Hoffman in an emailed statement. 'The new CMA legal challenge to Bill 26 is about defending parental and human rights.' CTV News Edmonton reached out to the Ministry of Justice for comment.
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Rise in children's gender care waiting list across England and Wales
The number of children awaiting gender care in England and Wales has risen by 12% in a year, with 157 of those on the waiting list aged under 10. Average waiting times have also grown to more than two years for a child to get a first appointment at a specialist NHS clinic. There were 6,225 children on the national waiting list at the end of March – up from 5,560 at the same point a year earlier, data obtained by the PA news agency showed. The British Psychological Society said the numbers show that 'demand is currently outpacing supply' and warned it is 'essential' for children to get professional care and support 'before they reach crisis point'. Health Secretary Wes Streeting last year branded waiting times 'unacceptable', acknowledging the 'enormous distress' they can cause. Responding to the latest figures, NHS medical director for specialised services Professor James Palmer said he understands it 'can be really difficult' for children and their families waiting to be seen. Two children's gender hubs, led by London's Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) and Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, opened in April 2024. This followed the closure of the Gender Identity Development Service (Gids) run by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. A third service has since opened Bristol while another is planned for the East of England 'later this spring', according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The aim is for there to eventually be up to eight specialist children's gender clinics covering the seven NHS regions in England. Of those on the national waiting list – which covers England and Wales because the latter does not have its own dedicated children's gender clinic – 157 children were aged under 10, according to a Freedom of Information request by PA. Fewer than 10 children were aged under five years old, NHS England said, adding that it would not give an exact number as this could breach confidentiality because of people being potentially identifiable in smaller groups. There is no minimum age requirement for gender care, with the NHS previously saying they want to ensure parents of very young children are given support where necessary. Waiting times for a first appointment have also risen, to an average of 116 weeks at the end of March from an average of 100 weeks at the end of May last year. Dr Roman Raczka, president of the British Psychological Society, said: 'It is essential that children, young people and their families can access the professional care and support they need, before they reach crisis point. 'Demand is currently outpacing supply. This contributes to a range of broader challenges which face children and young people's services that require further investment.' Some 250 patients transferred from Gids have been seen by new services, and it is understood each of the new clinics is designed to see 25 patients a month. Following the Cass Review last year which concluded children had been let down by a lack of research and evidence on medical interventions in gender care, NHS England announced a new plan which requires new referrals into the clinics to have been seen by a GP and mental health specialist or paediatrician first. Guidance expected to be published later this month will see the health service move away from a 'medical model' in favour of a 'holistic' approach to children's gender care, as per recommendations from the Cass Review. According to leaked plans reported last month, children who have gender dysphoria will be tested for neurodevelopmental conditions including autism and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). Prof Palmer said: 'We know it can be really difficult for children and young people and their families who are waiting to be seen by our new holistic gender services, and that's why it has been so important that we put a new system in place to ensure that, while they're waiting, they can access mental health support if they need it. 'The NHS is now almost halfway through its planned expansion of regional services, and we are seeing significantly fewer referrals as children are first assessed by paediatric or mental health experts and provided with care in NHS services that are more appropriate to their needs.' Puberty blockers are not prescribed on the NHS to children for the treatment of gender dysphoria, after a ban last year was made permanent in December with the agreement of devolved governments across the UK. Plans remain in place to set up a clinical trial into the use of puberty blockers this year, although no patients have yet been recruited while ethical and regulatory approval is awaited. A DHSC spokesperson said: 'We are working with NHS England to reform children's gender services in line with the recommendations from the Cass review, to provide children with timely, holistic support. 'We've opened three new children and young people's gender services with a fourth anticipated to open later this spring. These new services will increase clinical capacity and reduce waiting times, so patients can be seen sooner and closer to home.'
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Soaring numbers of children waiting for specialist gender care on the NHS - with 157 aged under ten-years-old
Soaring numbers of children in England and Wales are waiting for specialist gender care on the NHS, with 157 aged under ten-years-old. Average waiting times have grown to more than two years for a child to get a first appointment at a specialist health service clinic. There were 6,225 kids on the national waiting list at the end of March – up 12 per cent from 5,560 at the same point a year earlier, new figures reveal. The British Psychological Society warned that 'demand is currently outpacing supply' and stressed it is 'essential' for children to get professional care and support 'before they reach crisis point'. Health Secretary Wes Streeting last year branded waiting times 'unacceptable', acknowledging the 'enormous distress' they can cause. Responding to the latest figures, NHS medical director for specialised services Professor James Palmer said he understands it 'can be really difficult' for children and their families waiting to be seen. Two children's gender hubs, led by London's Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) and Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, opened in April 2024. This followed the closure of the Gender Identity Development Service (Gids) run by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. A third service has since opened Bristol while another is planned for the East of England 'later this spring', according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The aim is for there to eventually be up to eight specialist children's gender clinics covering the seven NHS regions in England. Of those on the national waiting list – which covers England and Wales because the latter does not have its own dedicated children's gender clinic – 157 children were aged under 10, according to a Freedom of Information request. Fewer than 10 children were aged under five years old, NHS England said, adding that it would not give an exact number as this could breach confidentiality because of people being potentially identifiable in smaller groups. There is no minimum age requirement for gender care, with the NHS previously saying they want to ensure parents of very young children are given support where necessary. Waiting times for a first appointment have also risen, to an average of 116 weeks at the end of March from an average of 100 weeks at the end of May last year. Dr Roman Raczka, president of the British Psychological Society, said: 'It is essential that children, young people and their families can access the professional care and support they need, before they reach crisis point. 'Demand is currently outpacing supply. This contributes to a range of broader challenges which face children and young people's services that require further investment.' Some 250 patients transferred from Gids have been seen by new services, and it is understood each of the new clinics is designed to see 25 patients a month. Following the Cass Review last year which concluded children had been let down by a lack of research and evidence on medical interventions in gender care, NHS England announced a new plan which requires new referrals into the clinics to have been seen by a GP and mental health specialist or paediatrician first. Guidance expected to be published later this month will see the health service move away from a 'medical model' in favour of a 'holistic' approach to children's gender care, as per recommendations from the Cass Review. According to leaked plans reported last month, children who have gender dysphoria will be tested for neurodevelopmental conditions including autism and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). Prof Palmer said: 'We know it can be really difficult for children and young people and their families who are waiting to be seen by our new holistic gender services, and that's why it has been so important that we put a new system in place to ensure that, while they're waiting, they can access mental health support if they need it. 'The NHS is now almost halfway through its planned expansion of regional services, and we are seeing significantly fewer referrals as children are first assessed by paediatric or mental health experts and provided with care in NHS services that are more appropriate to their needs.' Puberty blockers are not prescribed on the NHS to children for the treatment of gender dysphoria, after a ban last year was made permanent in December with the agreement of devolved governments across the UK. Plans remain in place to set up a clinical trial into the use of puberty blockers this year, although no patients have yet been recruited while ethical and regulatory approval is awaited. A DHSC spokesperson said: 'We are working with NHS England to reform children's gender services in line with the recommendations from the Cass review, to provide children with timely, holistic support. 'We've opened three new children and young people's gender services with a fourth anticipated to open later this spring. These new services will increase clinical capacity and reduce waiting times, so patients can be seen sooner and closer to home.'
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Children waiting two years for critical gender care as numbers trapped on waiting lists soar
Children aged under five are among a soaring number of young people waiting for gender care treatment as the NHS grapples to clear a backlog of patients. The number of children waiting for treatment in England and Wales has risen by 12 per cent in a year, with 6,225 children now on the national waiting list, up from 5,560 a year earlier. A total of 157 of those are aged under 10, with up to 10 aged under five. Average waiting times have also grown to more than two years for a child to get a first appointment at a specialist clinic. One expert warned children need help 'before they reach crisis point', with numbers showing that 'demand is outpacing supply'. Responding to the latest figures, the NHS medical director for specialised services, Professor James Palmer, said he understands it 'can be really difficult' for children and their families waiting to be seen. TransActual, a charity supporting trans people, said the waiting list figures were 'unacceptably high'. Two new gender care services led by London's Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) and Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool opened in April 2024 following the closure in March 2024 of the UK's dedicated gender identity clinic, run by the Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust. A third service has since opened in Bristol while another is planned for the East of England 'later this spring', according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). The aim is for there to eventually be up to eight specialist children's gender clinics covering the seven NHS regions in England. Last year, health secretary Wes Streeting branded waiting times 'unacceptable', acknowledging the 'enormous distress' they can cause. Waiting times for a first appointment have also risen, to an average of 116 weeks at the end of March from an average of 100 weeks at the end of May last year, according to a Freedom of Information request by the Press Association. There is no minimum age requirement for gender care and the NHS previously said it wanted to ensure parents of very young children are given support where necessary, with some aged under five seeking help. Dr Roman Raczka, president of the British Psychological Society, said: 'It is essential that children, young people and their families can access the professional care and support they need, before they reach crisis point. 'Demand is currently outpacing supply. This contributes to a range of broader challenges which face children and young people's services that require further investment.' Chay Brown, operations director for TransActual UK: ' Trans and gender questioning children and young people are having to wait years to access support from the NHS. 'The majority of people leaving the waiting list at that time will have aged out. Sadly, some will have died whilst waiting – waiting times for NHS gender services have been cited in several prevention of future deaths reports.' Following last year's Cass Review, which concluded children had been let down by a lack of research and evidence on medical interventions in gender care, NHS England announced a new plan which requires new referrals to the clinics to have been seen by a GP and mental health specialist or paediatrician first. Some 250 patients transferred from the Gender Identity Development Service have been seen by new services, and it is understood that each of the new clinics is designed to see 25 patients a month. Guidance expected to be published later this month will see the health service move away from a 'medical model' in favour of a 'holistic' approach to children's gender care, as per recommendations from the Cass Review. According to leaked plans reported last month, children who have gender dysphoria will now be tested for neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Prof Palmer said: 'We know it can be really difficult for children and young people and their families who are waiting to be seen by our new holistic gender services, and that's why it has been so important that we put a new system in place to ensure that, while they're waiting, they can access mental health support if they need it. 'The NHS is now almost halfway through its planned expansion of regional services, and we are seeing significantly fewer referrals as children are first assessed by paediatric or mental health experts and provided with care in NHS services that are more appropriate to their needs.' Puberty blockers are not prescribed on the NHS to children for the treatment of gender dysphoria, after a ban last year was made permanent in December. Plans remain in place to set up a clinical trial into their use this year, although no patients have yet been recruited and ethical and regulatory approval is being sought. A DHSC spokesperson said: 'We are working with NHS England to reform children's gender services in line with the recommendations from the Cass review, to provide children with timely, holistic support. 'We've opened three new children and young people's gender services, with a fourth anticipated to open later this spring. These new services will increase clinical capacity and reduce waiting times, so patients can be seen sooner and closer to home.'
