The BMA will now approach the Cass review ‘neutrally’ following a vote which overturned its position to ‘publicly critique’ the recommendations on treatment of transgender children.
Last week, the union’s council voted to confirm that they will ‘retain a neutral position’ on the Cass review recommendations whilst undertaking their ‘own evaluation’.
In July, the same council had called for a pause to implementation of the review following ‘concerns’ voiced by doctors and academics about ‘weaknesses in the methodologies used’ throughout.
The Cass review’s report, published in April, concluded that for most young people a medical pathway may not be the best way to manage their gender-related distress.
An emergency ban on private prescribing of puberty blockers was implemented by the last Government after the review’s publication, and this decision has been upheld by new health secretary Wes Streeting.
But the BMA has been critical of banning puberty blocker prescribing to children and young people with gender dysphoria, calling instead ‘for more research to help form a solid evidence base for children’s care’.
However, some medical leaders – including former RCGP president Professor Dame Clare Gerada – criticised this position, with almost 900 doctors signing an open letter calling on the BMA to ‘abandon this pointless exercise and to welcome and follow the Cass Review’.
Now, a new vote has ‘clarified that the BMA will approach’ its ‘evidence-led’ evaluation of the review ‘neutrally’.
Council chair Professor Phil Banfield said the union is ‘not aiming to replicate the Cass review’ with its evaluation.
He said: ‘The Chair of our task and finish group has set out to Council how we will listen to those with lived experience either as patients or as clinicians, consider the link between evidence and recommendation, and compare the recommendations with the actions or strategies that have arisen from them.
‘While considerable focus has been placed on access to puberty blockers, the Cass Review also included wide-ranging recommendations around care for children and young people with gender dysphoria.’
Professor Banfield added: ‘I cannot predict the outcome of our evaluation. However, I am clear that we will hear different perspectives, always prioritising the needs of transgender children and young people, who deserve the very best care.’
Have they also taken a vote on how many of us BMA members actually want them to proceed with their own review of the Cass review?
who is paying for Prof’s evaluation ?