The Tavistock’s notorious Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) clinic in London – which prescribed puberty blockers to children – closed in March. Two replacement clinics have already opened in London and Liverpool. NHS England has now confirmed they will be joined by six more, starting with Bristol this coming autumn and a centre for the East of England by March 2025. The NHS is under immense pressure; should it really be spending money on these clinics?
The correct number of NHS paediatric gender clinics is not one, nor two and certainly not eight; it is zero
The waiting list for gender services is already enormous. There are currently 5,700 children in the queue for specialist gender care, including a child under the age of five. Even if the NHS opened dozens of clinics where children could be sent to discuss their gender, and perhaps seek advice about social transitioning, demand would outstrip supply.
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