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MSP warns government over lack of action on gender services review

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date24 April 2024
Publication titleAirdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Meghan Gallacher says there needs to be an "urgent evaluation" of gender services in Scotland to "ensure the wellbeing of young people in Scotland isn't going to be less protected"

The Conservative Central Scotland list MSP made the plea in a letter to Caroline Lamb, the chief executive of NHS Scotland, after ministers refused to make a statement on the issue to Holyrood.

Ms Gallacher said: "Despite the Cass Review being published last week, members have not been afforded the opportunity of a Ministerial statement. Given the significance of the report's findings, I find this completely unacceptable.

"The SNP are burying their heads in the sand over gender care for children and young people. They dodge every question that asks whether they will implement the 32 recommendations of the Cass report, and if NHS Scotland will ban puberty blockers.

"Members are being silenced by this SNP Government - but I will use ever lever possible to ensure that concerned parents, carers, young people and constituents get the answers they want - and most importantly, deserve!"

The Cass Review - named after its head, Dr Hilary Cass - was released last week and found the evidence base for gender care in young people had been thin and children had been let down by a "toxic" public discourse around gender.

The Scottish Government has been under pressure to rule out the routine use of puberty blockers - for which the review said there was "not enough evidence" - as has been done in the NHS in England.

The Tavistock Clinic in London - which offered gender services - was closed this year, but First Minister Humza Yousaf...

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