Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender
NHS England are currently consulting on a draft service specification for the new youth gender clinics set up in response to the Cass Review. The deadline is 2 November. A service specification is important because it sets out what a service should provide and eligibility for access to the service. It is meant to be […]
This was the central question that experts debated at a special CAN-SG webinar earlier this week (16th Sept) and their answer was a resounding ‘no’. They agreed that the government’s plan to run a clinical trial on children with gender distress to determine whether puberty blockers (PBs) are safe raises too many ethical and methodological problems […]
The webinar on September 16, 2025, focuses on the ethics and challenges of a clinical trial for puberty blockers in children referred to youth gender clinics. Experts will discuss ideas about alternative research methods that could better improve care for children and young people with gender related distress.
Rachel Cashman highlights the severe conflict of interest in the NHS Sussex investigation into inappropriate prescribing practices for minors. She argues for an independent inquiry, citing previous failures in safeguarding and leadership within NHS governing bodies. The urgency lies in restoring public trust and ensuring child safety over ideological conflicts.
Maia Poet, a 26-year-old independent writer, examines the relationship between autism and gender dysphoria, arguing it often reflects untreated neurodevelopmental distress. During her speech at the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Maia explores the metaphor of being “born in the wrong body” and the feelings of disembodiment many neurodiverse young people experience. She argues that the diagnosis of gender dysphoria may overlook the true needs of neurodiverse youth, and advocates a psycho-social approach instead of medical intervention.
On March 6, 2025, the Clinical Advisory Group on Sex and Gender (CAN-SG) hosted a panel to review the progress following Dr. Hilary Cass’s 2024 review of gender identity services for children. The Cass Review highlighted the weak evidence supporting medical interventions for gender dysphoria and emphasised psychological therapy as the preferred management approach. Hannah Barnes discussed the history and closure of the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), pointing out missed opportunities and the lack of meaningful patient data. Other panelists emphasised the need for psychotherapy, addressing misinformation, and ensuring ethical considerations in treatment pathways for young patients, while acknowledging the challenges of implementing the Review’s recommendations.
This article by Dr David Bell and Dr Sinead Helyar examines concerns regarding a proposed clinical trial of puberty blockers (PBs) for children with gender dysphoria. It argues that a PB trial would pose unacceptable risks and contravene ethical standards. The authors advocate alternative avenues for research and safer treatment methods for this vulnerable group of children.
Prevention of harm especially to children and young people is one of the most important aims of all health professionals. The death by suicide of a young person is a tragedy and the ripples of effect of such a profoundly shocking event have been estimated to affect many dozens of people in each case. Health […]
Professor Sallie Baxendale’s article in Unherd discusses her challenges in publishing a paper on puberty blockers’ impact on cognitive function. Despite facing rejection from three journals, her paper has now been published in a well-respected peer reviewed journal, shedding light on the minimal evidence and concerns about the impact of puberty blockers. Prof Baxendale’s Unherd article sheds light on issues in the peer review process.
A recent documentary aired by Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ brought to light concerns raised by leading doctors of Ireland’s Adult National Gender Service (NGS) regarding the treatment of Irish children with gender dysphoria. Their concerns have largely been ignored. Dr Moran and Prof O’Shea have lodged a formal complaint against the HSE with the health standards watchdog in Ireland(HIQA) alleging that the HSE have directed children from Ireland to gender clinics abroad which adhere to a model of care which can harm children, an allegation which the HSE firmly denies.