Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that services that support trans young people provide them with medical care to (a) transition or (b) prevent puberty where appropriate.
The Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) run by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust offers psychosocial support to young people, allowing individuals to explore their feelings and wants in a understanding environment, while building an individualised treatment plan.
The service is currently undergoing a review led by Dr Hilary Cass, this review is wide ranging in scope and will make recommendations on how to improve the service for its users. Treatment to ‘prevent puberty’ is currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings as such the Department is unable to comment on this.